IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


l^|18     |2.5 

150     "^™       HHB 

1^    Hill  2.2 


|50 


12.0 


1.8 


1.25      1.4 

1.6 

^ 6"  - 

». 

V 


<^ 


/} 


Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


A 


xP 


"^ 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


1 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


^ 


D 
D 


D 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


I      I    Covers  damaged/ 


Couverture  endommag6e 

Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurie  et/ou  pellicul6e 


I     1    Cover  title  missing/ 


Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 


I      I    Coloured  maps/ 


Cartes  gAographiques  en  couleur 

Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i  o.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


r~|    Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 


Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
Relii  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  reliure  serr6e  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  int^rieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajout6es 
iors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  Atait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  AtA  filrr  ^s. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  supplAmentaires; 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplairs 
qu'il  lui  a  6t6  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-Atre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
uno  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  methods  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiqu(6s  ci-dessous. 


I — I   Coloured  pages/ 


Pages  de  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagies 

Pages  restored  and/oi 

Pages  restaur^es  et/ou  pelliculdes 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxet 
Pagns  ddcolor^es,  tachetdes  ou  piqu6es 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  d^tachdes 

Showthrough/ 
Transparence 

Quality  of  prir 

Quality  in^gale  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  materii 
Comprend  du  matdriel  suppldmentaire 


I — I  Pages  damaged/ 

I — I  Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 

I — I  Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 

I      I  Pages  detached/ 

I      I  Showthrough/ 

I      I  Quality  of  print  varies/ 

I      I  Includes  supplementary  material/ 


D 
D 


Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 

Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partieliement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuiliet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  6t6  fiim6es  d  nouveau  de  fapon  d 
ootenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


This  Item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  filmi  au  taux  de  reduction  indiquA  ci-dessous. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 


26X 


30X 


12X 


16X 


20X 


24)( 


28X 


ails 

J; 

du 

n 

difier 

"A 

jne 

:4 

lage 

M 

The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

Library  of  Congress 
Photoduplication  Service 

The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


L'exemplaire  filmd  fut  reproduit  grdce  ^  la 
g^n^rositd  de: 

Library  of  Congress 
Photoduplication  Service 

Les  images  suivantes  ont  61 A  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettetd  de  Texemplaire  film^,  et  en 
coformit^  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  — ^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprimi^e  sont  film^s  en  commenqant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'iilustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  filmds  en  commenqant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'iilustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  id 
cas:  le  symbole  — ♦-  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN". 


rata 


elure, 


.^ 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


1  2  3 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  §tre 
film^s  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diff^rents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  cliche,  il  est  film6  d  partir- 
de  Tangle  sup^rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  h  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  ndcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  m^thode. 


X 


1  2  3 

4  5  6 


T 


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H^«iniii    T)—  >y<i  ■ijn'w' 


V-^  ^\"^      ro  »^ » 


PRICE,    50    CENTS. 


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1096. 


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'RiE  PROl»ER  WAY  TO  GO 
TO  THE 

LONDIK 


IS  VIA  THE 


ANADIAN  PACIFIC 


\ 


RAIL-NA/AY 


FROM  THE  EASTERN  STATES,  AND 

SOO  PACIFIC  ROUTE 

FROM  THE  MIDDLE  STATES. 

The  CuadUn  Pmcific  Railway  Co.'>  steamikipt  will  leave  Vancouver  and  Victoria 
twice  each  week  for  WraAgle,  connecting  there  with  their  Stikine  River  Steamers. 


QTJ'ppi nro  best  suited  for  the  Klondike,  and  which  will  not  be  subject  to  Canadl*a 
Customs  duty  of  30  per  cent.,  can  be  purchased  in  Vancouver,  Victorit 
■ad  9ther  Canadian  dties.  ; 

43HOICE  OF  ROUTES  S^trfrSr.l.'iSJSriiti.SJ^S 

'^^  IBdmtHitoni,  Prince  Albert,  Kamloops,  Atheroft. 

i)0  NOT  TAKE  TICKETS  t!Z,tZ  7^  SiS^i^"^^ 

1'1117I71?R17Mr^17  "^  steamship  awommodation  will  be  riven  to  those  travel> 
4rA.«A^x^ff|.£<i^V^£<  i„^  by  Canadian   Pacific  or  Soo  Pacific  Overland  Routes. 

8BC0RB   C#.  R.   "KLONDIKE"   PAMPHLET,  containing  large  map  and 
the  latest  iufbrmation  from  —  -   *  »i 


U.yr,  R.  CALLAWAY. 
Qm^I  f^'r  AgMt  "Sm  U»3." 

r.FAUi.1  w.j.'nmitN. 

iUit  Om*!  I^a'r  AgMt  "So*  LIm." 

'  iijMiQU8itera.  w.  hIbbard. 

Om^I  Pim'r  AfMt  ••  mmt^fmUm  RoMto." 
1smCM»t  M«  SoHtli  Cterk  StMMt. 

J.  P.  ijBB. 

Mgrwtnt  II  pm«  strMt. 

A.  B.  BOWONDS. 
BUPPALOt  *$  BMhaam  Mtm*. 

D.  BTWORTmNOTON. 


PITTSBURa  I   Rdsi  $•§  P«rt«MMN  BNB4ia||^      ^1 

PHILADBLMBAt  Cor.  TkM  Mid  OhMlMrt  Stnatsi 

H.  McMURTRIB. 
NBWVORKt  MJ  BrMdwav. 

B.  V.  CKINNBR.  j 

BOSTON*   1*7  WaaktaglM  StTMt,  $ 

H.  J.  coi.vm. 

ST.  JOHN.  N.  B.t   A.  H.  NOTMAN. 

AM't  Omi'I  VUM'r  Aasal. 
TORONTO,  ONT.:  C.  B.  McPHBRSG^. 

AM't  OM'i  PtWr  AgMlt. 


L  KERR,  Traffic  Mi 

TinBipeg^ 
D.  McNICOLL,  PasMager  Traffic  Manager,  Montreal 


C.  E.  E.  USSHER.  Gent  Pass'r  Agint, 

Vietitnai. 


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100 

BO  MILKS  ' 


OF  the' 


OF  THE 


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SHEWING  VARIOUS 


nS  TO  theYUKOM  Dist 


1898 


SCAL«e  OF  MILES. 

100 200 


300 


Compiled  and  dravm  under  the  direction  of 
W.  T.  JENNIxNGS  C.  E. 

COPYKIOHT,   <9M,  •IfTHIllA.TTHtWSNOH'rMHUF  CO.,  MnALO,  N.   f. 


SO  MILES  TO  1  INCH 


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THE    KLONDIKE  S? 

Official  Guide 

CANADA'S  Great  Gold  Field 

THE   YUKON    DISTRICT 


ru  KI'AKI'.n    HV 


WM.  OGILVIE 


Astronomer  of  the  Department  of  the  Interior,  Dominion  Land   Surveyor 

and  Explorer 


With  Numerous  Maps  and  Illustrations 

AN'!) 

REGULATIONS  GOVERNING  PLACER  MINING 


Published  by  authority  of  the  Department  of  the  Interior 
of  the  Dominion  of  Canada 


BUFFALO 

THE   MATTHEWS-NORTHRUP   CO. 

1898 


('(lI'Vlvll.ll  I,     I.S9.S, 

nv 
rilK    MATTIIFAVS  XORTHKIT   CO., 

lll'l  lAl.o,    NkW    YoKK. 
All  KiL;lils  Kisii  veil. 


PREFACE. 


^ERY  few  places  have  attracted  the  attention  of  the  world 
"5  to  the  same  extent  as  that  fraction  of  the  Yukon  Dis- 
trict of  the  Dominion  (  Canada  known  as  Klondike. 
This  interest  was  aroused  within  the  past  few  months, 
and  has  grown  so  vastly  that  scores  of  thousands  are 
directing  their  gaze  thitherwards,  hopeful  of  fortune 
and  happiness. 

That  the  fullest  information  be  accorded  all  so  inclined,  the 
Hon.,  The  Minister  of  the  Interior,  directed  that  a  hand  book  con- 
taining the  completest  possible  information  be  issued  as  soon  as 
practicable.  Naturally  this  task  fell  to  myself,  as  I  had  been  more 
associated  with  that  region  than  any  other  Canadian  official.  The 
work  was  commenced  about  the  middle  of  December  last,  a  few  days 
after  my  return  thence ;  and  when  it  is  considered  that  maps  had 
specially  to  be  prepared,  photographs  selected  and  put  in  shape  for 
reproduction,  besides  much  original  matter  written,  and  many  pre- 
vious reports  by  others  and  myself  read,  and  extracts  bearing  on  that 
district  made,  put  in  order,  and  connected  in  an  intelligible  way  with 
the  recent  matter,  it  can  be  understood  why  in  some  respects  this 
book  is  not  as  finished  as  I  would  like,  more  especially  when  we 
recoilect  that  most  of  the  work  fell  to  myself,  as  my  notes  taken 
in  the  field  as  they  were,  often  when  my  fingers  were  ^enumbed  with 
cold  and  my  senses  almost  paralyzed  with  long  exposure  to  fierce 
wintry  winds  on  the  bleak  mountain  tops,  were  only  decipherable  by 
myself,  and  there  was  no  time  to  transcribe  them  into  legible  hand. 

Taken  as  a  whole,  I  venture  to  hope  the  book  will  fill  a  great 
gap,  though  there  may  be  a  few  places  left  unstopped.  These,  how- 
ever, can  be  readily  filled  by  those  inclined  to  think  for  themselves. 
The  extracts  from  previous  reports  have  been  revised  and  extended 
to  what  was  known  at  time  of  writing ;  so,  if  reference  is  made  to 
those  reports,  differences  will  be  found. 

The  recent  part  is  as  full  as  I  thought  it  necessary  to  make  it. 


VI 


PRKFACE. 


A.t. 


fc,. 


To  go  into  detail  enough  to  leave  no  question  unanswered, 
would  take  much  more  time  than  I  had  at  my  command. 

I  know  from  experience  that  the  many-headed  propound  ques- 
tions, various,  relevant  and  irrelevant,  and  were  I  inclined,  could  fill 
this  volume  with  specimens  of  such,  unique  in  their  way.  Many, 
many  queries  of  that  kind  are  ignored  on  these  pages,  but  I  look  for 
the  sympathy  of  practical,  self-reliant  men  and  women. 

The  maps  have  been  very  hurriedly  prepared,  and  embrace  in  a 
crude  way  all  the  available  information,  both  from  actual  survey,  and 
observations  and  reports. 

On  the  large  map,  showing  the  various  routes,  it  will  be  noted 
that  where  the  route  follows  a  stream  or  other  waterway  it  can  be 
fairly  closely  located.  When  it  is  overland,  we  must  not  assume 
more  than  that  the  line  of  route  marked  in  a  general  way  indicates 
where  it  is  intended  to  put  a  road.  This  is  because  no  survey  has 
been  made  of  such  routes,  or  if  it  has,  no  returns  of  it  were  available. 


WILLIAM   OGILVIE. 


Ottawa,  January  27th,  1898. 


tion    unanswered, 

nand. 

:cl  propound  ques- 

inclined,  could  fill 

lieir  way.     Many, 

jes,  but  I  look  for 

len. 

and  embrace  in  a 

actual  survey,  and 

;,  it  will  be  noted 
waterway  it  can  be 
must  not  assume 
leral  way  indicates 
use  no  survey  has 
f  it  were  available. 

lM    OGILVIE. 


CONTENTS. 


Autlior's  I'reface.        .  ,         .         , 

Railway  Conmuinicatioii, 

The  Yukon  District, 

Mr.  (")gilvie's  Kxploralion  of  rSSy,    . 

P'rom  Dyea  Inlet  to  the  Alaska  Hoiindary, 

Survey  of  Fortymiie  River, 

Description  of  the  Yukon, 

Agricultural  Capabilities  of  the  Yukon  jtasin, 

Minerals, 

Metals  Found  on  the  River,  , 

The  Government  of  the  Yukon   Territory, 

More  Recent  Discoveries, 

Other  Minerals  Found  in  the  Yukon  District, 

Hints  on  I'rospecting, 

ROUTES  — Prince  Albert,       . 

Edmonton, 

Cariboo  and  Cassair, 

Taku, 

White  Pass, 

Dyea  or  Chilcoot  Pass, 

Dalton, 

James  and  Hudson  Bay, 

Ocean  and  River  Route, 
Food  Supplies,  etc., 

Tents, 

REGULATIONS  — Governing  Placer  Mining, 

Governing  I,ease  to  Dredge, 


Paok. 

5 
8 

9 

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16 

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64 
So 

«3 
88 

90 

95 

95 
104 

106 

106 

107 

109 

1 10 

121 

124 

•35 
'37 
143 


1 


Railway   and   Steamboat 
Communication 


BY  AN 


ALL  CANADIAN  ROUTE. 


Since  the   following  puRes  were  written  the   Canadia.i  llovernment   has  umu- 
pleted  arran^'ements  wh=ch  will,  during  the  coming  season,  remove  the  great  d.fh,- 
culties  which  have  heretofore  stood  in  the  way  of  travel  ..nd  transport  to  the  Yukon 
District      The  route  to  be    opened   is  by  steamer  from  Victoria  or  Vancouver  to 
Wrangel,  thence  bv  the  Stilcine   River  to  Telegraph   Oeek,  thence  overland    .50 
miles  to  Teslin  Lake,  thence  down  Teslin  Lake,  the  Hootaluqua,  Lewis  and  \  nkon 
Rivers  to  Dawson  Citv.     Large  steamers  run  the  year  round  to  the  mouth  of  the 
Stikine  River.     From  that  point  a  sleigh  road  to  Teslin  Lake  will  be  open  for  travel 
with  stopping  places  every  25  miles,  on  the  loth  March.     Persons  going  m  can  thus 
reach  Teslin   Lake   and  make  their  preparations  to  go  down  trom  that  pomt  by 
water  when  the  ice  goes  out,  which  is  usually  about  May  15th.     While  those  who 
wish  to  prospect  in  the  south-eastern  part  of  the  Yukon  District  may  find  to  then- 
advantage  to  go  by  one  of  the  overland  routes,  the  great  bulk  of  the  travel  to 
Dawson  City  and  its  neighborhood  will  find  an  easy  route  by  way  of  the  St.kme  and 

River  steamers  will  ply  all  summer  from  the  mouth  of  the  Stikine  to  Telegraph 
Creek  A  wagon  road  with  abundance  of  transportation  facilities  will  be  available 
from  Telegraph  Creek  to  Teslin  Lake,  and  steamers  will  be  plying  on  this  lake  and 
the  Hootaluqua,  Lewis  and  Yukon  Rivers.  On  the  First  day  of  September  a  railway 
will  be  in  operation  from  Telegraph  Creek  to  Teslin  Lake,  so  that  from  that  time 
until  the  ice  forms  in  the  Fall,  generally  about  October  20th,  there  will  be  an  unin- 
terrupted steamboat  and  railway  connection  to  Dawson  City.  Persons  travel  mg  by 
this  route,  or  any  of  the  all  Canadian  overland  routes  described  in  the  followmg 
pamphlet,  will  avoid  payment  of  duties  if  their  outfits  are  purchased  m  Canada. 


■n 


tnboat 
n 


OUTE. 


Government   lias  coni- 
remove  the  great  ilifti- 
transport  to  the  Yukon 
:toria  or  Vancouver  to 
:,  tlience  overland    150 
iqua,  Lewis  and  Yukon 
id  to  the  mouth  of  the 
B  will  be  open  for  travel 
rsons  going  in  can  thus 
)wn  from  that  point  by 
t5th.     While  those  who 
strict  may  find  to  their 
.  bulk  of  the  travel  to 
■f  way  of  the  Stikine  and 

:he  Stikine  to  Telegraph 
cilities  will  be  available 
plying  on  this  lake  and 
ly  of  September  a  railway 
;,  so  that  from  that  time 
1,  there  will  be  an  unin- 
,'.  Persons  travelling  by 
scribed  in  the  following 
urchased  in  Canada. 


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-f 


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NORTH  WESTCRN    CANADA 


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SO                                   >00  ISb 

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,••<.?■ 


r^ 


WORTH  WESTERN  CANADA 


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/ 


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i 

e»i 

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120 


fcl- 


SCALt    or     STATUTf     MILES 


NORTH  WESTERN   CANADA 


Siitinri    i 


r'-H*    1 


X- ' 


SCALE   or  SIATurt    MiLtS 


NORTH   WESTERN   CANADA 


Section  4 


w 


s»' 


Seeticn  4 


\l0'' 


1  60 


fOlT 


/  . 


'ttr«w«     J 


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'Oo, 


WORTH  WESTWN  CANADA 


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^ 


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•n  Nelson 


H 


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\ 


■iCALE  OFST/*Tl/Tr    MILES 
JO  100  • 


NORTH  Wr.STCRN  CANADA 

e 


■V(T  fifri     <• 


SCALE  or  STATUTE  MILES 
>0 


I-. 


S<yfu>ri     <■  SciWrH  WnSTHRN  CANADA. 


-H'' 


Sf<ll,„l 


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tdmorf«»'* 


■a\'nl  i 

^    ,    '^^     u.,d.r.ok  %,       •    ''~' 

An«taa»bl«      i 


Prior    ^ 


CISC/*  A/      0'^* 


fUWfUTUtlNn/T 


Hunter  I    ,    A 

*  llceotc    If 

Calvert     I  i 


'--v... 


tAti.4  c 


OUtlNCut 

•tllLWATOlL 


CWFMANO 


Q 


4.  "'ffTt    till    r  .■  _ 

Herturt    Pt     •  ^     'ATlaiOCOL  .  ,,' 

•^.""''T^        BRITISH     COLUMBIA    ,.•' 

'*^  «  CillLCO  , 

^'♦.     ;  •'""    ■""'  o  ►  L4i<t  ■•     1 


StnJtatpha 


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Broolis  Qmy 

J .      __.. 

^  Kt'vKl'OT  SB 


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Icijim  <!iJI'ord  tun      .nut  ! 

rot  A       fULCr 


SIAION      t      ^    , 
ANOrRSOM  I.     S        > 


O  Nootkn     I 


o 


"•.•OAT 


r 


JUT' 


SnuMpr  Pt  j 

Floi-en  1"   I 
ClotVOQt'OT   SO  I 


BAiie 


y<> 


(->*^ 


si> 


-  -o4 


IblMia  I 


o 

^ 


T  H  jTTj  ^n  T  E  D 

^'M^  Olympus  j 

X   o  Seattle 

h 


> 


•*Ar«  mutrnOK 


fOlympia 

STATES 


A«Wr»» 


Indet  to  positions 
of  sechona  of  mao 


Nol 

No  2 

NoS 

N0.4 

N<.S 

No« 

N(.7 

'■o, 


fbrtlar-d    t/ 


'lUMttf'    "' 


i/e" 


( 


Lev 
onl' 
Hu' 
the 
Stal 
thai 
the 
wht 
Stai 
Cor 
Bril 


Canada^s  Great  Gold  Field 


THE  YUKON  DISTRICT 


-■•^■HHM- 


TIIK  YUKON  DISTRICT  com- 
prises, si^eakinjj  generally,  that  part  of 
the  North-west  Territories  lyiiiji  west 
of  tlie  water  shed  of  the  Mackenzie 
River ;  most  of  it  is  drained  by  tlie 
Yukon  River  and  its  tril)utaries.  It 
covers  a  distance  of  about  650  miles 
alonjr  the  river  from  the  coast  ranjje  of 
mountains. 

The  lirst  people  from  civilization  to 
enter  the  country  were  the  traders  for 
the  Hudson  May  Company.  In  the 
year  1840  Mr.  Robert  Campbell  was 
commissioned  by  Sir  Cieorj^e  Simpson 
to  e.xplore  the  Upper  I.iard  and  to  cross 
the  height-of-land  in  search  of  any  river 
flowinji  to  the  westward.  After  as- 
cending the  river  to  its  head  w;  ers  he 
struck  across  to  the  head  of  the  I'elly 
River,  thence  down  the  I'eily  to  the 
Cdiilluence  of  the  I.ewe.s,  at  which  |)oint 
he  turned  back,  his  men  having  become 
discouraged  by  the  stories  of  the  Wood 
Indians  encamped  there,  who  repre- 
sented that  the  lower  portion  of  the 
rivei  was  inhabited  by  a  tribe  of  can- 
nibals. In  1847  Fort  Yukon  was  es- 
tablished at  the  mouth  of  the  Porcupine 
by  Mr.  A.  H.  Murray,  another  member 
of  the  Hudson  Bay  Company. 
In  1848  Campbell  established  Fort  Selkirk  at  the  confluence  of  the  Pelly  and 
Lewes  Rivers  ;  it  was  plundered  and  destroyed  in  1852  by  the  Coast  Indians,  and 
only  the  ruins  now  exist  of  what  was  at  one  time  the  most  important  post  of  the 
Hudson  Bay  Company  to  the  west  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  in  the  far  north.  In  1869 
the  Hudson  Bay  Company's  officer  was  notified  to  leave  Fort  Yukon  by  ♦^he  United 
States  Government  officers,  they  having  ascertained  by  astronomical  observations 
that  the  post  was  not  located  in  British  territory.  The  officer  thereupon  ascended 
the  Porcupine  to  a  point  which  was  supposed  to  be  within  British  jurisdiction, 
where  he  established  Rampart  House  ;  but  in  1890  Mr.  J.  H.  Turner  of  the  United 
States  Coast  Survey  found  it  to  be  20  miles  within  the  lines  of  the  United  States. 
Consequently  in  1891  the  post  was  moved  20  miles  further  up  the  river  to  be  .vithin 
British  territory. 


/■'loiii  Photo,  by  IV.  Ogilvie. 
Chiet'  Chailie. 


to 


CANADA'S    C.RKAT    C.iH  D    III, ID 


Tlif  iHsi  pt'(i|ilc  In  I'liti'i  ilif  (oiiiiii  V  ini  ti.iiliiu';  piirp(t>ie-i  wi-ro  Messrs  Fl.irpor 
and  M(  t  Micstni.  I  lu-y  liavi-  lifni  trading  in  tlir  •oimtiy  siiitf  1S74,  ami  li.ivf 
()r<'iipit(l  iiiiiiu'roiis  |)((sis  all  alonjj  the  nviT,  tlif  nn-altT  ihiiuIkt  ot  wIik  h  have  itcrii 
ahaiiilimiMl,  Mr,  ll.iipiT  was  lotated  as  a  trader  at  Fort  Selkirk,  and  .Mr.  Mc  tjiies- 
Xrn  Is  ill  the  cinplnv  <»(  I  Ik-  Alaska  ('oininpn  i.d  (!<>mp,iiiy  at  ('ink'  (!ity,  whicii  i^  the 
distnliiitiii>(  pomt  tor  llic  v.isl  rcunms  siirniiiniliiiL,'  liircli  Crt'fk.  Al.iska.  In  |S,S.'  ,1 
niiinlx-r  ot  iiniUMs  filtered  the  N'likciii  eotiiitry  hv  the  Dyea  I'.iss  ;  it  is  still  the  mily 
rnule  used  to  any  extent  liy  llw  miners,  and  i>»  shorter  thin  the  other  passe-,  tliuiiyh 
not  the  lowest.  In  i8K^  l,ieiitenaiU  Schwatka  erosscil  tins  same  pass  and  defended 
the  l-e\v«'s  and  Viikon  Rivers  to  the  ocean. 

The  history  oj'  the  N'nkon  District  within  recent  vears  will  be  best  desi  rilicd  by 
the  following;  extract  Iroiii  tlu'  animal  report  of  the  I  )cpnty  of  llie  Minister  ot  the 
Interior  tor  the  year  i8<>5  : 

"III  the  year  18S7  the  Hon.  Thoni.is  White,  then  Minister  of  the  Interior, 
authorized  the  ori,'ani/.ation  of  an  expedition  haviii'^  tor  its  object  the  explor.iiion  ot 
that  reyion  of  the  North-west  'rcrnlones  of  (!anad,i  which  is  drained  by  the  Vnkoii 
River.  The  work  was  entrusted  to  Dr.  ( leorge  M  D.iwson,  now  the  Direiitir  of 
the  (ieoloKical  Survey,  and  .Mr.  Win.  ()i,;ilvie,  the  well-known  ixjilorer  ami  surveyor. 
Dr.  Dawson  devoted  tile  whole  of  that  season,  and  .Mr  ();iilvie  a  perioti  covering 
nearly  two  years,  to  obtaining;  ^eoloyical,  topo),fr;iphii  .il,  and  )L;eiieral  information, 
chietlv  respecting;  the  tract  of  country  lyiny;  adjacent  to  the  i.j!sl  meriili.iii  of 
loiii.;itU(le,  which,  by  the  Treaty  pf  Si  I'ctcrsburj;,  is  desijrnateil  as  the  boiindary 
line  from  the  nei.i,diborhood  of  Nbuint  St.  hili.is  to  the  .\r<tic  Ocean  between  Alaska 
and  the  adjoiniii).;  possessions  of  the  liritish  ('rown  which  now  form  part  ot  the 
N'ortli-w<'St  Territories  of  ("anada. 

'I'lie  explorers  found  that  in  proximity  to  tlu'  boundary  line  there  existed  exten- 
sive ;ind  valuable  placer  i^old  iiimes,  in  which  even  then  .is  many  as  three  iiuiidred 
miners  were  at  work.  .Mr.  ();;ilvie  determined,  by  a  series  of  lunar  obseivations, 
the  pomt  at  which  the  Yukon  River  is  intersected  by  the  141st  meridian,  and  marked 
api)roximately  the  same  on  the  iLjround.  He  .tlso  determineil  and  marked  rou;;hl)' 
lhe|)oinl  at  which  the  western  allluent  of  the  \'ukoii.  known  as  l''orlymile  River,  is 
crossed  by  the  same  meridian  line,  that  point  beiiiH:  sitii.ited  at  a  distance  of  .iboul 
twenty-three  miles  from  the  mouth  of  the  creek  This  survey  proved  that  the  i>laces 
which  had  been  selected  as  the  most  convenient,  owiny;  to  tin;  physic.d  conformation 
of  the  re.u;ion,  from  which  to  distribute  the  supplies  imported  for  the  various  iuinin;j[ 
camps,  and  from  which  to  conduct  the  other  business  incident  to  the  minini;  opera- 
tions —  places  situate  at  the  contluence  of  the  l''ortymile  River  ami  the  N'likon,  and  to 
which  the  names  of  I'orlymile  and  Tudahy  have  been  .s;ivei' — are  well  within  Canadian 
territory.  I'he  jjreater  jiroportion  of  the  mines  then  ' '"jj  worked  Mr.  ( )ui!vie 
found  to  be  011  the  Canadian  side  of  the  international  boundary  line,  but  he  reported 
the  existence  of  some  minium  fields  to  the  south,  the  exact  jiosition  of  whii  ii  with 
respect  to  the  bouiulary  he  diil  not  have  the  opportuniiy  to  fix. 

"The  number  of  persons  enjfa,<,a'd  in  luiniui;  in  the  locality  mentioned  has  stead- 
ily increased  year  i)y  year  since  the  date  of  .Mr  ()jrilvie"s  survey,  and  it  is  estimated 
that  at  the  commencement  of  the  past  season  not  less  than  one  thousaiul  men  were 
so  employed.  Incident  to  this  mineral  development  there  must  follow  a  corrcspoiul- 
inji  ^n-owth  in  the  volume  of  business  of  all  descriptions,  particularly  the  iiuporta- 
tiou  of  dutiable  ^""^1^.  '">^1  t^'"^  occupation  of  tracts  of  the  public  lands  for  miniivj; 
purposes  which  a(x:ordiiijj;  to  the  minima  regulations  are  subject  to  the  payment  ot 
certain  prescribed  dues  and  charges.  The  .\laska  Commercial  Comiiany.  for  many 
years  subsecpient  to  the  retirement  of  the  Hudson  liay  Comiiauy,  had  a  practical 
monopoly  of  the  tr.ule  of  the  \'uk(Ui,  carrying;  into  the  country  and  delivering  at 
various  points  along  the  river,  without  regard  to  the  inteinaliona'  boundary  line  or 
the  customs  laws  and  regulations  of  Canada,  such  articles  of  commerce  as  were 
recpiired  for  the  prosecution  of  the  fur  trade  and  latterly  of  placer  mining,  these 
being  the  only  two  existing  industries  With  ih".  discovery  of  gold,  however,  came 
the  organizaticjn  of  a  competing  company  known  as  the  .North  American  Transpor- 
tation and  'J'rading  C^omiiany,  having  its  headipi.irlers  in  Chicago  and   its  chief  trad- 


wro  Messrs  Il.iipfr 
n«'  1K74,  ami  li.iM' 
>if  wliK  li  have  Itci-u 
<,  ami  Mr.  Mi  (jucs- 
lo  (!itv,  whicli  w  the 
Alaxk.i.  Ill  iSS.'  .1 
i  ;  It  IS  Nlill  till-  Hilly 
itlior  passes,  thiiiij^ii 
pass  and  (Icm  i-itdfil 

PC  lust  (IfMTilifil   by 
the  Minister  ut   the 

u-r  of  tin-  Interior, 
■t  tin-  t'.\|)l()r.itii)ii  of 
aiiiL'd  by  the  V'likon 
ow  the  hiti'iior  of 
ploriT  and  Mirveyor. 
.•  .1  pt.Tiod  coNcrinjjj 
^ciu'ral  infoiiiiatioii, 
L-  i4;st  iiRMidi.in  of 
I'd  as  till-  boundary 
can  between  Alaska 
)\v  form  part   ol    the 

there  existed  cNteii- 
ly  as  three   hundred 

lunar  obserwitiinis, 
leriilian,  and  marked 
iiid  marked  rons^hl}' 

I'ortymile  River,  is 

a  distance  of  .iboiit 
oved  that  the  jilaces 
lysical  eonformatioii 

the  various  miiiin;j[ 
0  the  miiiin;;  opeia- 
1(1  the  N'likon,  .uid  to 
well  within  C'.in:id;aii 
kvorked  Mr.  ( )LiiIvie 
line,  but  lie  reported 
tsitioii  of  whit  ii  with 

iientioned  has  stcad- 
:,  and  it  is  estinia'.ed 

thousand  men  were 
follow  a  correspond- 
cularly  the   impoita- 

)lic  laiuls  for  minniL; 
;l  to  the  payment  of 

Com|)any.  for  many 
lany,  had  a  practical 
ry  and  delivering  at 
la'  boundary  line  or 
f  commerce  as  were 
placer  mining,  these 
gold,  however,  came 
American  Transpor- 
■o  and  its  chief  trad- 


TlIK   VIKOX    DisrUK   I 


Mr 


ariicr,  \  uknii   I'loiu'iir. 


a  large  revenue  was  being  lost  to  the 
public  cxclu'cpier  under  tlu'  then  exist- 
ing condilioiis. 

"  I'or  the  jmrpose  of  ascertaining 
officially  and  authoritatively  the  condi- 
tion of  affairs  to  whicli  the  correspond- 
ence referred  to  in  the  preceding  para- 
graph relates,  the  Honourable  the 
President  of  the  Privy  Council,  during 
the  siM'ing  of  1S94,  despatched  Inspec- 
tor Charles  Constantine,  of  the  North- 
west Mounted  Police  I'orce,  accom- 
panied by  Sergeant  JJrowii,  to  Cudahv 
ami  the  mining  camps  in  its  vieinitv. 
The  report  made  by  Mr.  C^onstaiUiiie 
on  his  return  established  the  substan- 
tial accuracy  of  the  representations 
already  referred  to.  The  value  of  the 
total  output  of  gold  for  the  season  of 
1S94  he  estimated  at  ,$300,000.  a  very 
large  sum  considering  the  relatively 
short  period  to  which  mining  o|)cra- 
tions  are,  by  the  nature  of  the  chmale. 
conlined. 

"The  fac's  recited  clearly  estab- 
hsh  —  first,  that  the  time  had  arrived 
when  it  became  the  duty  of  the  (Jov- 
crniiient    of    Canada    to    make    more 


ing  ,uid  distnbiitiiig  post  .it  Cudahv. 
i  Ins  ( iimp.my  \\ns  been  engaged  in  this 
tr.ide  for  over  three  ye.irs,  .ind  during 
the  past  season  dfspatched  two  o( cm 
ste, liners  from  Se.ilth'  to  Si,  .\li(h.iel, 
.It  the  month  of  the  \iikon.  the  nicr- 
(  h.indise  from  which  was.  .it  the  List 
mentioned  point,  transshipped  into 
river  ste.imers  .tiid  carried  to  points 
inland,  but  1  liielly  to  the  coinp.inv's 
distributing  centre  within  C.inadi.in  ti'r- 
ntory  Import. itmns  of  c((nsiderable 
v.diii',  consisting  of  the  immediatelv 
re(piisite  supplies  of  the  miners,  and 
their  tools,  also  re.n  li  the  ( '.in, id  1.1  n  |)or- 
l ion  of  the  Yukon  I  )istrii  t  from  June, lu, 
III  the  United  States,  by  way  of  the 
I  )yea  Inlet,  the  nioimt.iin  passes,  and 
the  chain  of  waterways  leading  ihere- 
Ironi  to  Cudahy.  r|ion  none  ol  these 
import. itions  had  any  duty  been  10!- 
lei  ted,  e.\ce|)t  a  smii  of  ,>ji3,24S.,So  p.ud 
to  Inspector  Constantine  in  1X94,  by 
the  two  companies  mentioned  above, 
•  ind  It  is  safe  to  < oik  hide,  especially 
when  it  is  remembered  that  the  coun- 
try prniliices  none  of  the  articles  con- 
sumed within  it  extept  fresh  meat,  that 


/>>«;«  /'/w(c>.  by  W.  l{^'i!:... 
Frederick  W.  Hart,  Vukoii  I'ioneer. 


12 


("AN ADAS   GREAT    GOLD    FIKLD. 


efr.t^it  It  provi..ion  for  tlie  maintenaiue  of  order,  the  enforcement  of  the  laws,  and 
tile  ulininistration  of  justice  in  the  Vukoii  country,  especially  in  that  section  of  it  in 
which  |)ia(er  niinintj  for  .y;old  is  heinu;  jirosecuted  upon  such  an  extensive  scale, 
situated  near  to  the  boundary  se|)aratinj;  the  Norih-west  Territories  from  the  posses- 
sions of  the  United  States  in  Alaska  ;  and,  second,  that  while  such  measures  as  were 
necessary  to  that  end  were  called  for  in  the  interests  of  humanity,  and  particularly 
for  the  security  and  safety  of  the  lives  and  property  of  the  Canadian  subjects  of  Her 
Majesty  resident  in  that  country  who  are  erjjaged  in  legitimate  business  |)ursuits,  it 
was  evitlent  that  tiie  revenue  justly  due  to  the  Government  of  Canada,  under  its  cus- 
toms, excise  and  land  laws  and  which  would  go  a  long  way  to  pay  the  exnenses  of 
government,  was  being  lost  for  the  want  of  adecjuate  machinery  for  its  collection. 

"Accordingly  in  June  last  a  detiichment*  of  twenty  members  of  the  Mounted 
Police  Force  including  officers  was  detailed  for  service  in  that  portion  of  the  North- 
west Territories.     The  officer  in  conunand,  in  addition  to  the  magisterial  and  other 

duties  he  is  recjuired  to  perform  by 
virtue  of  his  office  and  under  instruc- 
tions from  the  Department  of  Mounted 
Police,  was  duly  authorized  to  repre- 
sent where  necessary,  and  until  other 
arrangements  can  be  made,  all  the  de- 
partments of  the  government  having 
interests  in  that  region.  Particularly 
he  is  authorized  to  perform  the  duties 
of  Dominion  lands  agent,  collector  of 
customs,  and  collector  of  inland  rev- 
enue. At  the  same  time  instructions 
were  given  i\[r.  William  Ogilvie,  the 
surveyor  referred  to  as  having,  with 
Dr.  Dawson,  been  entrusted  with  the 
conduct  of  tile  first  government  expedi- 
tion to  the  Yukon,  to  proceetl  again  to 
that  district  for  the  purpose  of  con- 
tinuing anil  extending  liie  work  of 
determining  the  141st  meridian,  of 
laying  out  building  lots  and  mining 
claims,  and  gererally  O'  performing 
such  duties  as  may  be  entrusted  to  him 
from  time  to  time.  Mr.  Ogilvie's  (piali- 
fications  as  a  surveyor,  and  his  previous 
ex[)erience  as  explorer  of  this  section 
of  the  North-west,  peculiarly  lit  him 
for  the  task. 

''  As  it  apiiears  qu'ti  certain,  from 
the  report  made  by  >.r.  Ogilvie  on  his 
return  to  Ottawa  in  1889,  and  from  the  report  of  Mr.  Constantine.,  tnat  the  operations 
of  the  miners  are  being  conducted  upon  streams  which  have  their  sources  in  the  United 
States  Territory  of  Alaska,  and  flow  into  Canada  on  their  way  to  join  the  Yukon, 
and  as  doubtless  some  of  the  placer  diggings  under  development  are  situated  on  the 
United  States  side  of  the  boundary,  it  is  highly  desirable,  both  for  the  purpose  of 
settling  definitely  to  which  country  any  land  occupied  for  mining  or  other  purposes 
actually  belongs,  and  in  order  that  the  jurisdiction  of  the  courts  and  officers  of  the 
United  States  and  Canada,  for  both  civil  and  criminal  purposes,  may  be  established, 
tiii'i  the  determination  of  the  141st  meridian  west  of  Greenwich  from  the  point  of 
its  ..itersection  with  the  Yukon,  as  marked  by  Mr.  Ogilvie  in  1887-88,  for  a  consider- 
able distance  south  of  the  river,  and  possibly  also  for  some  distance  to  the  north, 

♦  The  detachment  was  ma<le  up  as  follows  : — Ins|)ectt>r  C.  Constantine,  Officer  Coininan<ling  Yukon 
Dclaclinient  N.  \V.  M.  Police  ;  Inspector,  D.  A.  L.  Strickland  ;  Assistant-Surtjeon,  A.  K.  Wills  ;  2 
Staff  Sergeants  ;  2  Corporals;  13  Constables. 


l.einy  N.   .Mctjuesten,  One  iif  the  Yukon  Pioneers. 


lent  of  the  laws,  and 
\  tliat  section  of  it  in 
I  an  extensive  scale, 
)i-ies  from  the  posses- 
iich  nieasnres  as  were 
lity.  and  |)articularly 
dian  subjects  of  Her 
business  pursuits,  it 
]anaila,  under  its  cus- 
l)ay  the  expenses  of 
for  its  collection, 
lers  of  the  Mounted 
ortion  of  the  North- 
iaj:;isterial  and  other 
lired  to  perform  by 
e  and  under  instruc- 
.lartment  of  Mounted 
authorized  to  repre- 
iary,  and  until  other 
be  made,  all  the  de- 
government  having 
region.     Particularly 

0  perform  the  duties 
Is  agent,  collector  of 
ector  of  inland  rev- 
me  time  instructions 
William    Ogilvie,  the 

to  as  having,  with 
entrusted  with  the 
t  government  e.xpedi- 
,  to  proceed  again  to 
the  purpose  of  con- 
iiuliiig    the    work    of 

141st  meridian,  of 
iig  lots  and  mining 
rally  o'  performing 
y  be  entrusted  to  him 
Mr.  Ogiivie's  (piali- 
;yor,  and  his  previous 
)lorer  of  this  section 
t,  peculiarly    l?t   him 

s  q\vti  certain,  from 
)y  y  .r.  Ogilvie  on  his 
e.,  tiiat  the  operations 
sources  in  the  United 
y  to  join  the  Yukon, 
It  are  situated  on  the 

1  for  the  purpose  of 
ng  or  other  purposes 
s  and  officers  of  the 
,  may  be  established, 
ich  from  the  point  of 
>7-88,  for  a  consider- 
listance  to  the  north 

fticer  Commaiuiing  Yukon 
Surgeon,   A.    L.   Wills ;  2 


,^  i:ana1)A"s  crkat  com*  i  iki.i> 

should  l)f  i.nKTcdfd  will,  at  once      Mr.  Oijilvie's  instniciions  iXMiuire  him  to  -o  on 

tho  M    vey  w,ll>  all  convenient  speed,  but  in  order  that  tins  work  nu.y  be  eltec- 

''bl     tf::^  -^npHshment  of  the  .Ibject  '"  view  the  n.-.-peratuH.  o    the    .over^ 

ment  of  the  United  States  is  neressarv.     Corres|)ondenee  is  m  i)roKress  lhion«h  the 

nlr  anU^^  a  v,ew  to  obtan.in,,  this  eo-operatu..      It  mav  be  >.enuoned 

lira   a  United   States  surveyor  has  also  deternuned  the  points  at  wln.h  the  \  nkon 

KiVer  and  Fortvniile  River  are  intersected  by  the  141st  meridian. 

Sin.e  the  date  of  the  alx.ve  report,  Mr.  P.  W.  Davis  has  been  appointed  .olU.  to, 
of  (Mistoms  for  the  Yukon  district. 

Te  business  of  the  Department  of  the  Interior  havnv^  grown  to  such  propoi- 
tio.is  tl  at  n  pector  Constantine  was  no  longer  able  to  de:d  with  .t  and  discharge 
K  n  er  us  other  duties  assigned  to  lum.  Mr.  Thomas  Fawcett.  iX.m.mon  1  opo- 
uSrS  ?vev  r  has  been  appointed  gold  commissioner,  surveyor  and  genera 
•;;.  f  iMinister  of  the  Interior  for  the  district.  Accompanying  him  a 
aaing  under  his  instructions  are  two  Dominion  land  surveyors.  Jas.  C.bbons  and 
E.  D^ Bolton,  with  their  i)arties. 

MR.  OGILVIE'S  EXPLORATION  OF  1887. 

Mr  W   Ogilvie  describes  as  follows  his  trip  down  the  Yukon  River  in  1.S87 
The  first 'liews   I   received  cm  landing  at  Chilkat  was  that  there  was  trouble  m 
the  ii  terio     on  the  Lewes  River,  in  the  vicinity  where   I   intended  to  ^^o   J.  n.^ 
who   had    recentlv   arrived   from   the   interior,   stated   that    there   had  been   a     g. 
etween  the  Indians  and  the  miners  at  the  mouth  of  Stewart   River.      1 ''^  ,' ^-f    ' 
he    ur  lir   he  alle-ed    was  that  four  Indians  and  two  white  men  had  been  killed,  and 
at'Ue  indi'tu    c:ome   up  the  river  as   far  as  the  c-anon  to  he  m  wait  for  anv 
h^c^men  who  nnght  be  going  into  the  country.     1  chd  not  have  an  "IM-r^-;  J' ;; 
questioning  him,  as  he  had  gone  to  Juneau  the  day  betore  I  arrived.         h,       '  < 
seemed  to  ine  to  be  somewhat   improbable;  but  true  or  false,  'V\-^;  •'       1\' ;,  ; 
one  to  hear   and  the  onlv  wav  to  verify  it  was  to  go  and  see  whether  the   iiuhai  s 
we^e  iCst   e  or  not.      Happily 'the  whole  story  proved  to  be  untrue.      I  subsequentlv 
earn  d     mm  the  mineri '11,  the  interior  that  he  had  had  ^^^^-^^^^^^'^^'^l^^^^Z 
co1>sequence  of  which  he  was  ordered  in  mid-wmter  to  leave  the  region,  which    Ic^ 
n   ne'     consider  c,,uivalent   to  a  sentence  of  death.     Strange  to  say,  he  succeeded 
St  iiig  out  alive   makmg  a  distance  of  u,nvards  of  500  m.  es  of  the  >--    J  J"^-. 
ous  and  clittlcult   travelling.      He  started  m  the  month   of    ''^-'l^^^^'^ -.,•"';:  I  "j 
reached  the  coast  in  the  month  of  May.     It  is  reported  that  on  Ins  way  out  he  had 
m   re  t  cubic  with  an    Indian  whom   he   hired  to   accompany  hun.     Another  miner 
a  ^ec  iains  started  from  Stewart    River  for  the  coast  m  the.  month  of  De.em- 

bc-  cu-  vmg  a  message  from  Harper,  Mct^.esten  &  Co  ,  and  mad  tr.m.  the  nuneis^ 
Tlus  man  l^ad  the  advantage  at  intervals  of  the  assi^ance  of  ^^^^ /-;;:^^^/^^ 
whom  were  scattered  along  the  river  in  the  vicinity  of  ^'l^/.'-^^''"(^'^Vsnw  storm 
Schwatka)  At  the  summit  of  the  coast  range  h.e  was  detained  by  a  snou  storm 
ten    Ihree   days,   and    the   hardships   he  suffered   brought   on   pneumonia,    from  the 

'""Kis  ::;;;r  1,1"  hlS' familiar  with  the  locality  that  the  stc.rms  whicdi  rage,  in  the 
upper  altitudes  of  the  coast  range  during  the  greater  pan  ot   the  \^^^^'  ^'^;^ 
to  March,  are  terrific.     A  man  caught   in  one  of  them  runs  the  risk  of    osnig  his  Ife 
u".less  he  can   reach  shelter  in  a  short  time.     During  ^'''r  ,^">">7,'; ,    ;^;^,  •;,  Y'/   > 
alwavs  a  wind  blowing  from  the  sea  up  Chatham  Strait  and  Lynn  ^-'i'^'- ^^' '^!,   ,\.' 
almost  a  straight  line  with  each  other,  and  at  the  head  o|    Lynn  (anal      ^    ^'^   l;; 
.r,i  Chilkoot   rnh.ts.      The  distance   from  the  coast  clown  these  channels  to  the  c  pen 
sea  is  about  5S0  miles.     The  mountains  on  each  side  of  the  water  contine  t   e  ct- r- 
rents  of  air.  and  deflect   inclined  currents  in  the  direction  of  the  axis  *'*  thc3  c^lan   e 
so  that  there  is  nearly  always  a  strong  wind  blowing  up  the  channel.     <;^"  "    «    ^  " 
the  sea.  this  wind   is  heavily  charged  with  moisture,  wh.c.h  is  P'-^cP't^tec         en  the 
air  current  strikes  the  mountains,  and  the  fall  of  ram  and  snow  is  consequentl)  \er> 
heavy. 


11  IK  \i  K(».\   msiKicr. 


15 


recjiiire  liim  to  ijo  oti 
is  work  may  be  ctTec- 
atioii  of  llie  Ciovcni- 
pro^ri'ss  tlii(>u.i,'h  the 
t  may  l)f  mcutioiu'd 
s  at  wliicli  tlu'  Yukon 
11." 
11  appointed  colU'Ctor 

rown  to  siicli  propor- 
i-itli  it  ami  discliar^c 
cett,  Dominion  'I'opo- 
-mveyor  and  st:"'-'''^'' 
rompanyintl  liim  and 
rs.  J  as.  (lil)bons  and 


1887. 

on  River  in  1.S87. 
t  there  was  tronhlu  m 
(led  to  .u;o.     A  nnner, 
ere   had  been   a   liLilil 

i<iver.     The  result  of 

1  had  been  killed,  and 
1  to  lie  in  wait  for  any 
lave  an  opiiortunity  ol 

arrived.  The  nmiour 
:■,  ii  was  an  unpleasant 
i  whether  the  Indiana 
ntrue.  I  subsequently 
ifliculiies  with  them,  in 
t  the  re!i;ion,  which  the 
t;  to  say,  he  succeeded 
les  of  the  most  dan;j,er- 
Kebruary,  1    think,  and 

on  his  way  out  he  had 
,•  him.  Another  mmer 
n  the  month  of  Derem- 
I  mail  from  the  nuners. 
of  the  miners,  a  few  of 
feslin  (the  Newberry  of 
lined  by  a  snow  storm 
1   pneumonia,    from  the 

torms  which  raj^^e  in  the 
ihe  time,  from  October 
le  risk  of  losing  his  life, 
summer  there  is  nearly 
,ymi  (.'anal,  which  lie  in 
Lynn  Canal  are  CMiilkat 
;se  channels  to  the  open 
water  confine  the  cur- 
the  axis  of  the  channel, 
channel.  Cominy;  from 
is  precipitated  when  the 
low  is  consequently  very 


.Uter  landm-  at  Cinlkoi.t  the  weather  (ontnuud  verv  wet  fnr  tiiree  days  s<,  tint 
I  (Ou  d  n.>t  du  anytinn-  m  the  way  .,f  eommenein-  the  survev,  and  during'  tlie  delav 
my>ell    and   party    uere  einpi.. vcd    in    makin,i,r   preparations  f(,r  e.irrviiiK'  the   instrn' 
ment..   provisions  and  otlu-r  bay-a-e    up   I,,   the   hea.l   ..f    Dvea    Inl.'t.   a   diMau.  e  of 


20'.-  miles.  I  his  was  accomplished  1)\  seeuriny;  the  services  of  two  boats  belontr- 
mjr  to  a  trader,  winch  were  towed  to  the  head  of  the  Dvea  Inlet  by  the  United 
States  _i;uni)oat  "  I'inta,"  to  the  commander  of  which  (Capi.  Newell)"l  owe  a  debt 
ol  .uratitu-de  for  his  very  oblii^ing  and  attentive  treatment  of  mvself  and  party. 


i6 


CANADA'S    GREAT    (lOLl)    llEl.I). 


l-'rom  /'/loto.  I'V  II'.  Ogih'ie. 
Lookiiif;  Down  Cliilkoot  I'liss  and  Inlet  fioni  a  Toint  I  ',  Miles  above  Tide-water  (  Uainini;). 


I 


FROM    DVKA    IN'LKT   TO    THE    ALASKA    I'.OUNDAKV. 

On  tlic  3otli  of  -May  I  cDinmenced  the  survey  l)y  connecting  Pyramid  Island  in 
Chill<at  Inlet  with  Chiikoot  Inlet  at  Haines  mission.  At  this  point  a  Protestant  mis- 
sion was  estabHslieii  some  years  ago  ;  but  it  is  now  ai)andoned,  owing,  as  I  was  in- 
formed, to  the  ve.y  unpleasant  conduct  of  the  Chiikoot  Indians.  I  could  not  learn 
that  they  had  committed  any  overt  act  of  ho.stility,  but  it  appears  the  missionary 
tried  to  relieve  liie  sufferings  of  a  sick  Indian  child.  Unfortunately,  the  child  died, 
and  the  father  attributed  the  death  to  the  missionary,  and  from  that  time  acted  in  so 
suspicious  a  manner  towards  the  children  of  the  latter,  that  he  considered  it  unsafe 
to  remain  in  the  vicinity,  and  moved  into  Juneau. 

The  teacher  of  the  United  States  Covernmenc  school  for  Indians  at  Haines  mis- 
sion. Col.  Ripinsky,  told  me  he  had  got  into  trouble  in  the  same  way.  A  sick  Indian 
to  whom  he  administered  medicine  at  first  became  much  worse,  in  con.sequence, 
apparently,  of  the  treatment,  and  during  this  time  the  patient's  relatives  walked 
about  in  an  exciting  manner,  manifesting  very  unpleasant  signs  of  hostility.  Fortu- 
nately the  man  finally  recovered,  but  Col.  Ripinsky  has  no  doubt  that  his  life  would 
not  have  been  safe  had  he  died. 

The  latitude  and  longitude  of  a  point  near  Pyramid  Island  were  determined  in 
1869  by  a  United  States  Coast  Survey  party,  who  were  sent  out  to  observe  the 
eclipse  of  the  sun  in  the  month  of  August  of  that  year.  The  position  then  deter- 
mined is  given  in  the  "  .\laska  Coast  Pilot  "  as  latitude  59°  1 1'  43"  .0,  longitude  135° 
27'  04"  .5,  The  longitude  was  determined  by  chronometers,  thirteen  having  been 
used  by  the  e.xpeilition.  Where  the  point  was  fi.xed  1  could  not  ascertain,  so  I  took 
the  centre  of  the  island.  This  island  is  pyramidal  in  form,  as  seen  from  the  south- 
west or  north-east,  and  about  500  yards  long  l)y  200  wide.  It  is  composed  of  sand 
and  clay,  and  rises  about  80  feet  above  high  tide,  being  evidently  the  result  of 
glacial  action.  At  low  tide  there  is  very  little  water  on  the  north  side  of  the  island, 
and  it  is  only  a  question  of  a  few  years  until  it  will  cease  to  be  an  island  altogether, 


■,om  I'hoto.  I>\  li:  Ogilrie. 
i(lc-\vaur  ( Kainini;). 

DARY. 

|g  Pyramid  Island  in 
int  a  Protestant  mis- 
owing,  as  I  was  in- 
I  could  not  learn 
pears  the  missionary 
;itely,  the  child  died, 
that  time  acted  in  so 
considered  it  unsafe 

idians  at  Haines  mis- 
way.     A  sick  Indian 

)rse,  in  consequence, 

nt's  relatives  walked 
of  hostility.     Foriu- 

ibt  that  his  life  would 

id  were  determined  in 
out  to  observe  the 
position  then  deier- 
43"  .0,  longitude  135° 
hirteen  having  been 
it  ascertain,  so  I  took 
seen  from  the  .south- 
.  is  composed  of  sand 
idently  the  result  of 
rth  side  of  the  island, 
an  island  uUogether, 


THE    YUKON    DISPRICr 


»7 


owing  to  the  constant  accumulation  of  drift  brought  down  by  the  streams  (lowing 
into  the  inlet. 

To  carry  the  survey  from  the  island  across  to  Chilkoot  Inlet  I  had  to  get  up  on 
the  mountains  north  of  Haines  mission,  and  from  there  could  see  both  inlets.  Owing 
to  the  bad  weather  I  could  get  no  observation  for  azimuth,  and  had  to  produce  the 
survey  from  Pyramid  Island  to  Dyea  Inlet  by  .eading  the  angles  of  deflection 
between  thi^  courses.  At  Dyea  Inlet  I  got  my  first  observation,  and  deduced  the 
azimuths  of  my  courses  up  to  that  point.  Dyea  Inlet  has  evidently  been  the  valley 
of  a  glacier  ;  its  sides  are  steep  and  smooth  from  glacial  action  ;  and  this,  with  the 
wind  almost,  constantly  blowing  landward,  renders  getting  upon  the  shore  difficult. 
Some  long  sights  were  therefore  necessary.  The  survey  was  made  ui)  to  the  head 
of  the  inlet  on  the  2nd  of  June.  Preparations  were  then  commenced  for  taking  the 
supplies  an>l  instruments  over  the  coast  range  of  mountains  to  the  heail  of  Lake  I.in- 
deman  on  ihe  I.ewes  River.  Commander  Newell  kindly  aided  ine  in  making  arrange- 
ments with  the  Indians,  and  did  all  he  could  to  induce  them  to  be  reasonable  in 
their  demands.  This,  however,  neither  he  nor  any  one  else  could  accomplish.  They 
refused  to  carry  to  the  lake  for  less  than  $20  per  hunilred  pounds,  and  as  they  had 
learnetl  that  the  expedition  was  an  E.-  'lish  one,  the  second  chief  of  the  Chilkoot 
Indians  recalled  some  memories  of  an  old  quarrel  which  the  tribe  had  with  the 
English  many  years  ago,  in  which  an  uncle  of  his  was  killed,  and  he  thought  we 
should  pay  for  the  loss  of  his  uncle  by  being  charged  an  exorbitant  price  i'or  our 
packing,  of  which  he  had  the  sole  control.  Conunander  Newell  told  him  I  had  a 
l)ermit  from  the  tlreat  Father  at  Washingtcn  to  pass  through  his  country  safely,  f'nit 
he  would  see  that  I  did  so,  and  if  the  Indians  interfered  with  me  they  would  be  pun- 
ished fordoing  so.  After  much  talk  they  consented  to  carry  our  stuff  to  the  sununit 
of  the  mountain  for  ^10  per  hundred  pounds.      This  is  about  two-thirds  of  the  whole 

Pasv 


From  I'hoto.  hy  IV.  (.)y,lvie. 
Looking  Up  Chilkoot  Pass  from  a  Point  I  "^  Miles  above  Tide-water  (Raining) 


.-•l^'*.^-.  )*Mi^ii...'-r*»* 


C.\N.\1).\  S    C.RKAI'    (■'!!  1>    lli:i.I>. 


till'  wiMul^.  and  is  l)y  tar  tin-  most  dit'ticult 


di-laiice.  incliidfs  all  the  climl'ini,^  ruul 

iiart  f'f  the  wav  , ,.,,,,.,,.1    f,.r   iIih 

'  ,„,  the  (.11.  of  Inn.  .20  In.lia.is.  men,  wonu-n  and  clnlden,  ^^'''Y*  ,,?,,'" 
sun.nnt  I  sent  two  ..f  n,v  party  with  tlu'nrto  see  the  .uo'»ls  delivered  at  the  plact 
"  u,..n  Karl,  earrier  when  jjiven  a  pack  also  «»t  a  ticket.  "-^^^f\^^^^-^ 
scni.ed  the- contents  r.f  the  pack,  its  wei-ht,  and  the  amomit  the  individual  ^\  s  to 
^it  for  ( arrvin,^  it,  Tl>ev  were  made  to  understand  that  they  had  to  produce  these 
tickets  on  delivering  their  i>acks.  l.ut  were  not  told  for  what  '|-ason  As  each  pac. 
as\ldivered  one  of  my  men  receipted  the  ticket  and  •eturned  it.  1  '^'  -';•;;-  '- 
not  seem  to  understand  the  import  of  this;  a  lew  of  them  pretended  lac  os 
the.r  tickets-  and  as  ihev  could  not  j^et  paid  without  them,  mv  assistant,  w.io  had 
duV.hcates  of  every  ticke't.  fu-nished    them  with  receipted  copies,  after  examining 

"'"  wS'l^'thev  were  packi^K  to  the  summit  I  was  producing  the  survey,  and  I  .net 
them  on  their- reti:rn  at  the  foot  of  the  canon,  about  eight  miles  from  the  coast 
where  1  paid  them.     Thev  came  to  the  cam])  m  the  early  morning  be Oie      was  up, 
H    for  'about  two  hours  'there  was  cpiite  a  hubbub.      When  paying  then,  I  tried  to 
■  ret  their  names,  but  verv  few  of  them  would  give  an>   Indian  name,  "early  all    af  e. 
a  little  reflection,  giving'some  common  iMiglish  name       My  list  c.,ntainec    he  c.  s 
than    lack.  Tom,  Joe,  Charley,  etc,  some  ot   which  were  duplicated  tliee  a"d  /  • 
,„,  cs'    I     hen  found  why  some  of  them  had  pretended  to  lose  their  tickets  at  the 
summit.     Three  or  four  who  had  thus  acted  presented  themse  ves  twice  for  pay-ne     , 
producing  first  the  receipted  ticket,  afterwards  the  one  they  claimed  to  have  lost  dc- 
mam ling  pay  for  both      They  were  much  taken  aback  when  they  found  that  then 
duplicitv  hail  been  discovered.  ..,,., ii„ct 

'   These  Indians  are  perfectly  heartless.     They  wdl   n«.t  .ender  even  the  smallest 

.Hi  to  each  other  without  payment;  and  ^^  '^^^\'^^  ^^!^' f'^']  '^^'^\^'^' ^  ;t^Z 
nnn  I  -ot  one  of  th--m,  whom  I  had  previously  assisted  w:th  his  pack,  to  take  mc 
and  two  Sf  mv  parlv  over  a  small  creek  in  his  canoe.  After  putting  us  acrcss  he 
asked  for  money,  and  1  gave  him  half  a  cl,.llar.  Another  man  stepped  up  anc  dc- 
.nanded  pav.  sta  ing  that  the  canoe  was  his  To  see  what  the  result  would  be.  I 
Ila  c-  t-'  inn  the  same  amount  as  to  the  first.  Immediately  there  were  three  or  fou. 
more  claimants  for  the  canoe.  I  dismissed  them  with  a  blessing,  and  made  up  my 
mind  that  1  would  wade  the  ne.xt  creek.  ■     ■  »    i     „ 

While  paving  ther.i  I  was  a  little  apprehensive  of  trouble,  for  they  insisted  on 
(Towdm-  into' my  tent,  and  for  mvself  and  the  four  men  who  were  with  me  to  have 
a  e  ted  to  eject  them  would  have  been  to  invite  trouble.  am  strongly  of  the 
;  ;,nic!n  that  tlLe  Indians  would  have  been  much  more  chtticult  to  deaUv'  .h  if  tl^y 
had  not  known  that  Clommander  Newell  remained   m  the  inlet  to  see  that   1  g<Jt 

''^";?hi;rmaku,"th-urvey  from  the  head  of  tide  waterl  to.,k  the  azimuths  and 

ahinidesof  several  of  the  highe.st  peaks  around  the  head  of  the  inlet,  in  order  t< 

Ic^ca  e  them,  and  obtain  an   idea  of  the  general  height  of  the  peaks  m  the  coast 

a   ge      As    t  does  not  appear  to  have  been  done  before,  I   have  taken     ne  oppor- 

U,ni\y  of  naming  all  the  peaks,  the  positions  of  which   I   fixed  in  the  above   way. 

The  names  and  altitudes  appear  on  my  map.  n  .„..    PU-^r   T  t..ol- 

While  going  up  from  the  head  of  canoe  navigation    .n  the  Dyea   kuer,  1  took 

the  angles  ..f  elevation  of  each  station  from  the  preceding  one.     I  wc.uld  have  done 

thisirc.m  tidewater  up,  but  found  many  of  the  courses  so  short  and  with  so  little 

increase  in  height  that  with  the  instrument  I  had  it  was  inappreciable,     trom  these 

angles  I   have\-omputed  the   height  of   the   summit  c.f  the    ''y--^^     -.?•  f  j;^^;  ^^^ 

head  of    canoe  navigation,  as   it  appeared  to  me  in  June,  1887.  and  find  it  tc      e 

,,7,S   feet.     What   depth   of  snow  there   was   I  cannot   say.      I  he    head   of    can  e 

navigation  I  estimate  at  about   .20  feet  above  tide  water.     Dr.  Dawson  gives  it  as 

''"^  nL  .mined  the  descent  from  the  summit  to  Lake  Lindeman  by  carrying  the 
aneroid  froai  the  lake  to  the  summit  and  back  again,  the  interval  ot  tune  from  s  art 
to  return  ''-eing  about  eight  hours.     Taking  the  mean  ot   the  readings  at  the  lake, 


I., 


Host  difficult 

tc.l  for  tlie 
at  tlie  jilace 
liicli  was  in- 
1(1  ual  was  to 
rodiicc  tliese 
Ls  each  pacl< 
:  liulians  (lid 
to  liave  lost 
lilt,  w'lH)  liail 
r  examining 

;y.  anil  I  met 
m  the  coast, 
)re  I  was  vi\\ 
cm  I  tried  to 

irly  all,  after 
led  little  else 

ee  and  four 
tickets  at  'he 

for  payment, 
have  lost,  dc- 
md  that  their 

1  the  smallest 
ess  to  a  white 
:k,  to  take  me 
us  across  he 
;tl  up  and  tle- 
it  woiiUl  be,  I 
;  three  or  f(nir 
I  made  up  my 

ey  insisted  on 
ith  me  l(»  have 
trongly  of  the 
;al  with  if  they 
;ee  that   1  got 

'  azimuths  and 
et,  in  order  to 
s  in  the  coast 
:en  the  oppor- 
le  above   way. 

River,  I  took 
luld  have  done 
.1  with  so  little 
e.  From  these 
'ass,  above  the 
:\  find  it  to  be 
head  of  canoe 
.^son  gives  it  as 

)y  carrying  the 
time  from  start 
igs  at  the  lake 


"; 


I 


20 


CANADA'S   GRKAT    GOLD    1-lELI). 


start  anil  return,  and  the  single  reading  at  tlie  summit,  tlic  lieiglu  of  tlrj  summit 
above  tiie  lake  was  found  to  he  1.237  feet.  While  making  the  survey  from  the 
summit  down  to  the  lake  I  took  the  angles  of  depression  of  each  station  from  the 
preceding  one,  and  from  these  angles  I  deduceil  the  ditference  of  height,  which  I 
found  to  be  1,354  feet,  or  117  feet  more  than  that  found  hy  the  aneroid.      This  is 


c 
X 


o 


quite  a  large  difference  ;  but  when  we  consider  the  altitude  of  the  place,  the  sudden 
changes  of  temperature,  and  the  atmospheric  conditions,  it  is  not  more  than  one 
might  expect. 

While  at  Juneau  I  heard  reports  of  a  low  pass  from  the  head  of  Chilkoot  Inlet 
to  the  head  waters  of   Lewes   River.     During  the  time  I  was  at  the  head  of  Dyea 


th 

_•  siinimit 

I'V 

from 

tiic 

1)11 

friitn 

the 

^ht 

,  which  I 

.id. 

'I'iiis  is 

■ 

li 

s 
s 


't 


y. 

s 

5 


ce,  the  sudden 
lore  than  one 

Chilkoot  Inlet 
head  of  Dyea 


IhK    VLKUN    lUSIKICr. 


3t 


Inlet  I  made  inquiries  rojjardiiiyf  it,  and  fnniid  tliat  there  was  such  a  i)ass,  lnu  could 
learn  nolhin;;  delnute  about  it  from  either  whites  or  Indians.  .\s  Ca|)t.  .Moore,  who 
acc()m|)anied  me,  was  very  an.xious  to  yo  throuiLjh  it,  and  as  the  report^,  of  the  Dyea 
Pass  iiulicated  that  no  wair<in  road  or  railroad  could  ever  be  built  lhrou);h  it,  while 
the  new  pass  appeared,  from  what  little  ki.>wleil'..;e  I  coulil  ;;et  of  it,  to  be  nnich 
lower  and  |)ossil)ly  feasible  for  a  waiion  road,  1  determiiieil  to  send  tiie  captain  by 
that  way,  if  1  could  >{et  an  Indian  to  accompany  him.  This.  I  found,  woiiiil  be  dif- 
ficult to  do.  None  of  the  (!hilkoots  appeared  to  know  anything  of  the  pass,  and  I 
concluded  that  they  wished  to  keep  its  existence  ami  contlitioii  a  secret.  i'he 
Tagish,  or  Stick  Indians,  as  the  interior  Indians  are  locally  calleil,  are  afraid  to  do 
anythin;(  in  opposition  to  the  wishes  of  the  Chilkoots  ;  so  it  was  tlifticult  to  yet  any 
of  them  to  join  C!apt.  Moore  ;  but  after  much  talk  and  encouragement  from  the 
whites  around,  one  of  them  named  "  Jim  "  was  induced  to  po.  He  liad  been  thronj^h 
this  pass  before,  and  proved   reliable   and  useful.     The   information  obtaineil   from 


Huuliler  Creek.  From  Plioto.  h  J.  J.  McAtthiir. 

The  Klohini  Kivcr  Flats — Looking  Down  and  Across  lioulder  Creek. 

Capt.  Moore's  exploration  I  have  incorporated  in  my  plan  of  the  survey  from  Dyea 
Inlet,  but  it  is  not  as  complete  as  1  would  have  liked.  I  have  named  this  pass 
"White  Pa  s,"  in  honour  of  the  late  Hon.  Thos.  White,  Minister  of  the  Interior, 
under  whos^  authority  the  expedition  was  organized.  Commencing  at  Dyea  Inlet, 
about  two  miles  south  of  its  north  end,  it  follows  up  the  valley  of  the  Skaguay 
River  to  its  source,  and  thence  down  the  valley  of  another  river  which  Capt.  Moore 
reported  to  empty  into  the  Takone  or  Windy  Arm  of  Tagish  Lake.  Dr.  Dawson 
says  this  stream  empties  into  the  eastern  arm  of  the  Tagish  Lake,  and  in  that  event 
Capt.  Moore  is  mistaken.  Capt.  Moore  did  not  go  all  the  way  through  to  the  lake, 
but  assumed  from  reports  he  heard  from  the  miners  and  others  that  the  stream 
flowed  into  Windy  Arm,  and  this  also  was  the  idea  of  the  Indian  "Jim  "  from  what 

The  distance  from  the  head  of  Dyea  Inlet  to  the  summit  of  the  pass  is  15  miles,  and  the  whole 
length  of  the  pass  to  Lake  Linileman  is  23  miles. 


f 


33 


(  ANADAs  (;kK\r  (;(»i,i)  iii;i,ii. 


I  (iitiM  n.itlitT  fmm  liis  n-in.irks  in  lirdkcn  I'.iiylisli  ,iii<l  I'hinnok.  Ciiiil,  Moore  vU- 
m.iU'-  the  ili>taiuf  troiii  tide  wnter  to  tlio  simiinlt  ;it  jilioiit  iS  iiiik's.  iind  from  tli" 
smiimit  to  the  l..kc  ;it  almiit  jj  to  2,5  niilcs.  1  le  reports  tlie  |).iss  as  thickly  timhercil 
all  the  way  throu;^li. 

The  timbfr  line  011  the  south  side  of  the  I  >yea  I'ass,  as  determined  by  barom- 
eter re.idiiij,'  is  abonl  ;.,?oo  feet  abovt:  the  sea,  whde  on  the  north  side  it  is  about 
1.000  feet  below  the  Mimniit.  'I  his  larj^e  dillereiK  e  is  due,  I  think,  to  the  different 
(onditions  in  the  two  pla  (.s.  On  the  south  side  the  valley  is  narrow  and  deep,  aiul 
the  sun  cannot  produce  its  full  ilfect.  'I'he  snow  also  is  iiiiK  h  deeper  there,  ow'iiii 
to  the  c|iianlity  whiih  drifts  in  from  tlie  snrroiuuliiiK  inonntains.  On  tiie  north  Mile 
Ihesnrface  is  slopiiiLj,  ;ind  more  exposed  to  the  sunn's  rays.  ( )n  the  south  -ide  the 
timber  is  of  the  (lass  pei  uliar  'o  the  coast,  and  on  the  north  that  peculiar  to  the 
interior.  'I'he  latter  would  (.^row  at  a  (.greater  altitude  than  the  coast  timber.  It  is 
jKJSsiblf  tiial  the  summit  of  \Vliilc  Pass  is  not  higher  than  the   timber  line  on  the 


Sk.u'iiav   llav       SIl-.tiikt  (.Ui.nlr.i  in   I''()ri.'''n>uiul. 


north  of  the  Dyea  Pass,  or  .ibuut  -',500  feet  above  tide  water,  and  it  is  ])ossil)ly  even 
lower  than  this,  as  the  timber  in  a  valley  such  ,-is  the  White  Pass  would  hardly  live 
at  the  same  altitude  as  on  the  open  sloi)e  on  the  north  side. 

Capt.  .Moure  has  had  considerable  experience  in  building  roads  in  inountaiiious 
countries.  He  consiilers  that  tliis  would  be  .111  easy  route  for  a  wagon  road  com- 
pared with  soinc  roads  he  has  seen  in  British  Columbia.  Assuming  his  distances  to 
i)e  eorrec:t,  and  the  height  of  the  pass  to  be  probably  about  correctly  indicated,  the 
grades  would  not  be  very  steep,  aiui  a  railroad  c<nild  easily  be  carried  througii  if 
necessary. 

After  completing  the  survey  down  to  the  lake,  I  set  about  getting  my  bagg.ige 
down,  too.  Of  all  the  Indians  who  came  to  the  summit  with  packs,  only  four  or  live 
could  be  induceil  to  remain  and  jiack  down  to  the  lake,  although  I  was  paying  them 
at  the  rate  of  $4  \k-x  hundred  pounds,  .\fter  one  trip  down  only  two  men  remained, 
and  they  only  in  hopes  of  stealing  something.     One  of  them  ai)propriated  a  i)air  of 


Mooi'f  e>fi- 
11(1  frmn  th'- 
kly  timbercil 

I'll  by  bamir.- 
k;  n  is  aliiiiit 

till-  diftVrriu 
ml   (Irt'p,  anil 

r.icrc,  dWU.; 

he  north  Miic 
(iiith  -iile  Ihf 
•culiar  to  llic 
timht.T.  It  IS 
i-  iiiu:  (111  the 


.-  .,f' 


lioti'.  I'V  If.  (■>,'//-". 


is  possilily  oven 
roiiUl  hardly  live 

in  m()UiUainiiu> 
a^on  road  coni- 
;  his  distances  to 
tly  indicated,  the 
irried  throu<;h  if 

ting  my  basiLia-ic 
only  four  or  five 
was  paying  them 
vo  men  remained, 
priatcd  a  pair  of 


TIIK    VLKON    DISTRKl 


-'.J 


r 

r 


M 


CANADA'S   (;klv\l    (iol.h    I  IKin 


i: 


I' 
1! 


liodts.  aiul  was  imu  li  siirprisrd  In  riiid  that  lir  liail  to  p.iy  fur  tlictii  on  lifiiii;  scttlt'd 
with.  I  coiilil  not  blame  tliem  much  for  not  carinjj  to  work,  as  the  wi-ather  was  very 
(hsa)j;ria'al)lt'  —  it  raiuffl  or  snowi'il  ahnost  contmiiously.  Aftt-r  tlic  Indians  It-ft  I 
tried  to  )^i>t  down  the  stuff  with  tiu-  aid  of  my  own  men,  hut  it  was  slavish  and 
unliealtli;.  labour,  and  after  the  (irst  trip  one  of  them  was  laid  up  with  what  a|)|)eared 
to  lie  iiill.immatory  rheumatistn.  The  Inst  lime  the  party  crossed,  the  sun  was  shm- 
i"K  lirixlitly,  and  this  hrouyht  on  snow  blindness,  the  pain  of  whi(  h  only  those  wln» 
have  siilfered  from  it  can  realize.  I  had  two  sleds  with  me  which  were  made  in 
Juneau  spei  lally  for  the  work  of  ;{ettinj{  over  the  mountains  and  down  the  lakes  on 
ihe  ice.  With  these  I  succeeded  in  briny^in^^  .ibout  a  ton  .and  a  half  to  the  lakes,  but 
I  found  ihal  ihe  time  it  would  take  tt)  avi  all  down  in  this  way  would  seriously  inter- 
fere with  the  programme  arranj^ed  with  Dr.  Dawson,  to  say  nothin^j  of  the  suffering; 
of  the  men  and  myself,  and  the  liability  to  sickness  which  protracted  physical  exer- 
tion under  such  uncomfortable  conditions  and  continued  suffering  from  snow  bliiul- 
ness  expose  us  to.  1  had  with  me  a  white  man  who  lived  at  the  head  of  the  inlet 
with  a  Ta){ish  Indian  woman.  'I'his  man  had  a  ^ood  deal  of  intluem  e  with  the 
'I'ajjish  tribe,  of  whom  the  ]Li;reater  nund)er  were  then  in  the  neighbourhood  where  he 
resuled,  tryin;j  to  jjet  some  odil  jobs  of  work,  and  1  sent  him  to  the  head  of  the  inlet 
to  try  and  induce  the  'fajjish  Indians  to  undertake  the  transportation,  offerinj^  them 
$iS  per  hundred  pounds.  In  the  meantime  ("apt.  Moore  and  the  Indian  "Jim  "  had 
rejoineil  me.  I  hail  their  assistance  for  a  day  or  two,  and  "Jim's  "  presence  aided 
intlirectly  in  inducinjf  the  Indians  to  come  to  my  relief. 

The  'ra>,Msh  are  little  more  than  slaves  to  the  more  jiowerful  coast  tribes,  and 
are  in  constant  dread  of  offendinj.;  them  in  any  way.  One  of  the  privileges  which 
the  coast  tribes  c  laim  is  the  exclusive  ri^jht  to  all  work  on  the  coast  or  in  its  vicin- 
ity, ami  the  ra>,Msh  are  afraid  to  ilispute  this  claim.  When  my  white  man  asked 
the  TaKish  to  come  over  and  pack  they  objected  on  the  jjrounds  mentioned.  After 
considerable  ridicule  of  their  cowarilice,  and  explanation  of  the  fact  that  they  had 
the  exclusive  rij^ht  to  all  work  in  their  own  country,  the  country  on  the  north  side 
of  the  coast  ran),a'  bein^  ailmitted  by  the  coast  Indians  to  belonj.;  to  the  Tayish 
tribe  just  as  the  coast  tribes  hail  the  privilej^e  of  doing  all  the  work  on  the  coast 
side  of  the  nioimtains,  and  that  one  of  their  number  was  already  workinjf  with  me 
unmolested,  and  likely  to  continue  so,  nine  of  them  came  over,  and  in  fear  and 
trembling'  bejj;an  to  pack  down  to  the  lake.  After  they  were  at  work  for  a  few 
days  some  of  the  Chilkools  lame  out  and  als<j  started  to  work.  Soon  I  had  cpiite 
a  number  at  work,  and  was  jiellinjf  my  stuff  down  (piile  fast,  liut  this  jfood  for- 
tune was  not  to  continue.  Owinjr  to  the  prevailing  wet,  cold  weather  on  the  moun- 
tains and  the  ilifticully  of  getting  through  the  soft,  wet  snow,  the  Indians  soon 
began  to  (piit  work  for  a  day  or  tw(j  at  a  time,  and  to  gand)le  with  one  another  for 
tlie  wages  already  earned.  Many  of  them  wanted  to  be  paid  in  'ull,  but  this  I 
l)ositively  refused,  knowing  that  to  do  so  was  to  have  them  all  apply  for  their 
earnings  and  leave  me  until  necessity  compelled  them  to  go  to  work  again.  I  once 
for  all  maile  them  di.stinctly  understand  that  I  would  not  pay  any  of  them  until  the 
whole  of  the  stuff  was  down.  As  many  of  them  had  already  earned  from  twelve  to 
fifteen  dollars  each,  to  lose  which  was  a  serious  matter  to  them,  they  reluctantly 
resumed  work  and  kept  at  it  until  all  was  delivered.  This  done,  1  paid  them  off, 
and  set  about  getting  my  outfit  across  the  lake,  which  I  did  with  my  own  party  and 
the  two  Peterborough  canoes  which  I  had  with  me. 

These  two  canoes  travelled  about  3,000  miles  by  rail  and  about  1,000  miles  by 
steamship  before  being  brought  into  service.  They  did  considerable  work  on  Chil- 
koot  and  Dyea  Inlets,  and  were  then  packed  over  to  the  head  of  Lewes  River 
(Lake  Lindeman),  from  where  they  were  used  in  making  the  survey  of  Lewes  and 
Yukon  Rivers.  In  this  work  they  made  about  650  landings.  They  were  then 
transported  on  sleighs  from  the  boundary  on  the  Yukon  to  navigable  water  on  the 
Porcupine. 

In  the  spring  of  1888  they  descended  the  latter  river,  heavily  loaded,  and 
through  much  rough  water,  to  the  mouth  of  Hell  River,  and  up  it  to  McDougall 
Pass.     They  were   then  carried   over   the  pass  to   Poplar  River   and   were  used  in 


beitiii  M'ttlfd 
itlier  was  vt-ry 
Indians  Ifft  'l 
is  slavisli  and 
vhat  appeared 
sun  was  shin- 
nly  tliost'  wild 
wtTo  niado  in 
II  the  lakes  on 
the  lakes,  but 
seriously  inter- 

tlie  suffering 
physical  exer- 
in  snow  biiiul- 
;ul  of  the  inlet 
ence  with  the 
liood  where  he 
ad  of  the  inlet 

offerinjt  them 
m  " Jim  "  had 
presence  aiiled 

ast  tribes,  and 
iviletjes  which 

or  in  its  vicin- 
ite  man  asked 
itioned.     After 

that  they  had 
the  north  side 

to  the  'ra>{ish 
s  on  the  coast 
orkinjr  with  me 
1(1  ill  fear  and 
k'ork  for  a  few 
;)n   I   had  (piite 

this  good  for- 
r  on  the  moun- 
t;  Indians  soon 
me  another  for 

'ull,  but  this  I 
apply  for  their 
a),rain.  I  once 
I  them  until  the 
from  twelve  to 
they  reluctantly 
1  paid  them  oft, 

own  party  and 

t  i,ooo  miles  by 
;  work  on  Chil- 
)f  Lewes  River 
:y  of  Lewes  and 
hey  were  then 
e  water  on  the 

ily  loaded,  and 
it  to  McDougall 
d  were  used  in 


rilK    M  K(»N    KISIKICi'. 


»5 


ItoiiiL' down  the  latter  to  IVcl  Kiv.r.  and   theme  u|.   Ma.  ken/.ie   River    1,400  miles 
or.  exclusive  of  railway  ami   shin  carnavre.  they  were  .arried  a  ...iit    170  miles  and 
did   about       soo  miles 'of  work  for  the  exj-edition,  making   in  ail  about  1.700  iaiul 
ings  111  no  casv   manner  ami   going  through  some  very  l)ad  water      I  Lit  tlicm  at 


Fort  ("hiiiewyan  in  fairly  gooil  loiulilion,  ami,  with  a  little  painting,  they  would  go 

througii  liie  same  ordeal  again.  _ 

\fter  getting  all  my  liutfit  over  to  the  foot  (^f  Lake   Lindeman    I   set  some  of 

the  party  to  park  it  to'  tiie  iiead  of  Lake  Bennett.  The  stream  between  these  two 


36 


CANADA'S    (iRKAl'    (;()l,l)    IIKLD. 


V 


lakes  is  too  sliallow  and   rou^li  to  |)crmit  of  canoe  naviL,Mtion,  and  cverytliin'^  had 
to  be  portajfed  tlic  greater  part  of  tlie  way. 

I  employed  tlie  rest  of  tlie  party  in  looking  for  tiinl)er  to  bnilil  a  boat  to  carry 
iny  outfit  of  provisions  and  implements  down  the  river  to  the  vicinity  of  the  inter- 
national bonndary,  a  distance  of  about  700  miles.  It  took  several  days  to  tintl  a 
tree  lari^e  enoiiirh  to  make  |)lank  for  the  boat  I  wanted,  as  the  timber  around  the 
ujiper  end  of  the  lake  is  small  and  scrubby.  My  boat  was  fmisheil  on  the  eveiunjr 
of  the  nth  of  July,  and  on  the  12th  I  startei!  a  portion  of  t!ie  party  to  load  it  and 
.ijo  ahead  with  it  and  the  outfit  to  the  caiion.  They  had  instructions  to  exapi.ine 
the  canon  and.  if  necessary,  to  carry  a  i)art  of  the  outfit  .jiast  it  —  in  any  case, 
enoujih  to  support  the  party  back  to  the  coast  should  accident  iiecessit'te  such 
jirocedure.  With  the  rest  of  the  party  I  started  to  carry  on  the  survey,  which  may 
now  be  said  to  have  fairly  started  down  the  lakes.  riiis  pioveii  teilious  work,  on 
account  of  the  .tonny  weather. 

In  the  summer  months  there  is  nearly  always  a  wind  blowinjf  in  from  the 
coast  ;  it  l)lows  down  the  lakes  and  produces  (|uite  a  heavy  swell.  This  would  not 
prevent  the  canoes  goinj.;  with  the  decks  on,  but,  as  we  hail  to  land  every  mile  or  so, 
the  rollers  breaking  on  the  generally  llat  beach  jiroved  very  troublesome.  ( >n  this 
account  1  founil  I  could  not  average  more  than  ten  miles  per  day  ori  the  lakes,  little 
more  than  half  of  what  could  be  done  on  the  river. 

The  survey  was  comjjleted  to  ti  •■  canon  on  the  20th  of  July.  There  I  fmuul  the 
party  with  the  large  boat  had  an^cd  on  the  iStli,  having  carrieil  a  jian  of  the 
supplies  past  the  canon,  and  were  awaiting  my  arrival  to  run  through  it  with  the 
rest  in  the  boat.  Before  doing  S(j,  however,  I  maile  an  examination  of  the  caiTon. 
'I'he  rapids  below  it,  particularly  the  last  rapid  of  the  series  (called  the  White  Horse 
by  the  miners),  1  fountl  would  not  be  safe  to  run.  1  sent  two  men  thr'.ugh  the 
canon  in  one  of  the  canoes  to  await  the  -irrival  (<f  the  boat,  and  to  be  ready  in  ca^- 
of  an  av-ci(.'."!nt  to  pick  us  up.  Every  man  in  the  party  was  supi)lied  with  a  lilc- 
,)reserver,  so  that  should  a  casualty  occur  we  would  all  have  floated.  Those  in  the 
:anoe  got  through  all  right  ;  but  they  would  not  have  liked  to  repeat  the  trij). 
riiey  saiil  the  canoe  jumped  about  a  great  deal  more  than  they  thought  it  would, 
and  I  had  the  same  exjierience  when  going  through  in  the  boat. 

The  passage  through  is  made  in  about  three  minutes,  or  at  the  rate  of  about 
i2}-j  miles  an  hour.  If  the  boat  is  kept  clear  of  the  siiles  there  is  not  much  danger 
in  high  water  ;  but  in  low  water  there  is  a  rock  in  the  middle  of  the  channel,  near 
the  ui)per  end  of  the  canon,  that  rentiers  the  i)assage  more  difficult.  I  did  not  see 
this  rock  myself,  but  got  my  information  from  some  miners  I  met  in  the  interior, 
who  described  it  as  being  about  150  yards  down  from  the  heail  and  a  littie  to  the 
west  of  the  midtlle  of  the  channel.  In  low  water  it  barely  projects  above  the  sur- 
face. When  I  i)assed  through  there  was  no  indication  of  it,  either  from  the  bank 
above  or  from  the  boat. 

The  tlistance  from  the  head  to  the  foot  of  the  canon  is  five-eighths  of  a  mile 
There  is  a  basin  about  midway  in  it  about  150  yanls  in  cJameter.  Tliis  basin  is 
circular  in  form,  with  steep,  slojiing  sides  about  100  feet  high.  The  lower  part  of 
the  canon  is  much  rougher  to  run  through  than  the  ujiper  part,  the  fall  being  appar- 
ently much  greater.  The  sides  are  generally  perpendicular,  about  80  to  100  feet  high, 
aiul  consist  of  basalt,  in  some  places  showing  hexagonal  columns. 

The  White  Horse  Rapids  are  about  three-eighths  of  a  mile  long.  They  are  the 
most  dangerous  rapids  on  the  river,  and  have  seldom  been  run  through  in  boats 
except  by  accident.  They  are  confined  by  low  basaltic  banks,  which,  at  the  foot, 
sutldenly  close  in  and  nuike  the  channel  about  _io  yards  witle.  It  is  here  the  danger 
lies,  as  there  is  a  sudden  ilrop  and  tlic  water  rushes  tiirough  at  a  tremenilous  rate, 
leaping  and  seething  like  a  cataract.  Tlie  miners  have  constructed  a  portage  road 
on  the  west  side,  ami  put  down  roilways  in  some  places  on  which  to  shove  their 
boats  over.  They  have  al.so  made  some  windlasses  with  which  to  haul  their 
boats  up  hill,  notably  one  at  the  foot  of  the  canon.  This  roadway  and  the  wind- 
lasses must  have  cost  them  many  hours  of  hard  labour.  Should  it  ever  be  neces- 
sary, a    tramway   could   be  built   past  the  canon  on  the  east    side    with    im    great 


jverythiivi  li;ul 

1)1  )ai  t(i  lany 
ty  of  tlie  iiiter- 
I'days  to  tuul  a 
l)er  around  the 
1)11  tlie  eveiiinjf 
,•  to  load  it  ami 
ions  tu  examine 

-  in  any  case, 
lecessit'te  sucii 
\cy,  wiiich  may 
edioiis  work,  on 

njf  in  from  liic 
riiis  would  not 
;very  mile  or  so, 
some.  <  >n  tiiis 
,  the  lakes,  little 

here  I  founil  the 
d  a  pan  of  the 
ouj^h  it  with  the 
1  of  the  cai^on. 
he  White  Horse 
lien  'hraiijh  the 
)e  ready  in  case 
ilied  with  a  lili- 
Those  in  the 
repeat  the  trij). 
hou^ht  it  would, 

:he  rate  of  about 
not  much  danger 
the  channel,  neir 
I  did  not  see 
;t  in  the  interior, 
md  a  little  to  the 
s  above  the  sur- 
er from  the  bank 

tiiyhths  of  a  mile 
er.     'I'liis  basin  is 
lie  lower  part  of 
■  fall  beinij  appar- 
3  to  100  feet  high, 

ig.  They  are  the 
through  in  boats 
■hicli,  at  the  foot, 
is  here  the  danger 
tremendous  rate, 
;ed  a  portage  road 
ich  to  shove  their 
ich  to  haul  their 
ay  and  the  wind- 
d  it  ever  be  neces- 
ie    with    no    great 


THE    VIKON    DIS'IRICT. 


37 


38  CANADA'S    C.RKAr    COI-D    KIKLD. 

difficuliy.     With  the  exception  u(  the   Five  Finger  Rapids  these  appear  to  be  tlie 
onlv  serious  rapids  on  the  wiiole  length  of  tlie  river.  ,.       •      ,        ,  ■        . 

^  Five  Finger  Rapids  are  formed  by  several  islands  standnig  ni  tlie  channel  and 
hacking  up  the  water  so  much  as  to  raise  it  about  a  foot,  causing  a  .^ve  1  be  ow    or 
a  few  yards.     The  islands  are  composed  of  conglomerate  rock,  similar  to    he  <  lit  s 
on  eacl    s  do  of  the  river,  whence  one  would  infer  that  there  has  been  a  fall  here  n 
past  ages      For  about  two  miles  below  the  rapids  there  is  a  pretty  swift  current,  but 
o   enough  to  prevent  the  ascent  of  a  steamboat  of  moderate  power  and  the  rap  ds 
Ihen'selves  1  do  nut  think  would  present  any  serious  obstacle  to  the  ascent  of  a 
go      boat.     In  verv  high  water  warping  might  be  recpnred.     Six  miles  below  these 
rapids  are  what  are  known  as  "  Rink  Rapids."     This  is  simply  a  barrier  of  locks, 
X  h  e.xtends   from  tiie  westerly  side  of  the  river  about  half   way  across.      Over 
this  barrier  there  is  a  ripple  which  would  offer  no  great  obstacle  to  the  descent,  ot  a 
g  od  c  uioe.      On  the  eLterly  side  there  is  no  ripple,  and  tne  current   is  smoot 
and  .1,';  water  apparently  deep.     1  tried  with  a  6-foot  paddle,  but  could  not  reach 

^'"^  On"the  nth  of  August  I  met  a  partv  of  miners  coming  out  who  had  passed 
Stewart  River  a  few  davs  before.  They  saw  no  sign  of  Dr.  Dawson  'saving  been 
there.  This  was  welcome  news  for  me,  as  I  e.xpected  he  would  have  reached  t  at 
point  long  before  1  arrived,  on  account  of  the  many  delays  I  had  met  with  oi  the 
•oast  ran!}e.  These  miners  also  gave  me  the  pleasant  news  that  the  story  to  <1  a 
the' coast'  about  the  fight  with  the  Indians  at  Stewart  River  was  false,  and  stated 
substantially  what  I  have  already  repeated  concerning  it.  I  he  same  evening  1 
met  more  tniners  on  their  way  ouc.  and  the  next  day  n.et  three  boats  each  con- 
taining four  men.  In  the  crew  of  one  of  them  was  a  son  o  Capt.  Mooic,  from 
wiioin  the  captain  got  such  information  as  induced  him  to  turn  back  and  acro,npan\ 

^''^'VeS'dav  the  .3th,  I  got  to  the  mouth  of  the  I'elly,  and  found  that  Dr  Dawson 
iiad  arrived  th'ere  on  the  i.lh.  The  doctor  also  had  experienced  many  delays,  and 
had  heard  the  same  storv  of  the  Indian  uprising  m  the  interior  was  pleased  t<j 
f  d  that  he  was  in  no  immediate  want  of  provisions,  the  fear  of  which  had  caused 
me  a  great  deal  of  uneasiness  on  the  way  down  the  river,  iis  it  was  arranged  between 
sn  Victoria  that  I  was  to  take  with  me  provisions  for  his  party  to  do  them  un  1 
their  return  to  the  coast.  The  doctor  was  so  much  behind  the  time  arranged  to 
meet  me  that  he  determined  to  start  for  the  coast  at  once.  therefore  se  d)o  ,t 
making  a  short  report  and  plan  of  my  survey  to  this  point  ;  and,  as  I  was  ""t  likel> 
to  get^uiother  opportunity  of  writing  at  such  length  for  a  year,  I  applied  lysel 
to  a  correspondence  designed  to  satisfy  my  friends  and  acquaintances  for  tiie 
ensuing  twelve  months.     This  necessitated  three  days    hard  work. 

On  the  morning  of  the  .7th  the  doctor  left  for  the  outside  world,  leavmg  me 
with  a  f-eling  of  loneliness  that  onlv  those  who  have  experienced  it  can  realize.     I 
Remained    atShe   mouth   of  the   Peliy  during  the   next   day  taking   magnetic   and 
astronomical  observations,  an<l  making  some  measurements  of  the  river.     On  ti  t 
oth  I  resumed  the  survey  and  reached  White  River  on  the  25th.     Here  I  spen 
most  of  a  dav  trving  to  ascend  this  river,  but  found  it  impracticable,  on  accoun    o 
U  e  sw   t  c,  riint  and  shallow  and  very  muddy  water.     The  water  is  so  muddy  tha 
's  nnpossiblc  to  see  ihrough  onc-eigluh   of  an    inch  of   it.      I  he  current  ,s  very 
suong   probablv  eight  miles  or  more  i.er  hour,  ami  the  numerous  bars  in  the  bed  are 
c       tan  iv  changing  place.     After  trying  for  several  hours,  the  base  men  succeeded 
i„  doing  al)out  half  a  mile  only,  and  I  came  to  the  conclusion  that  it  was  useless  to 
'rv  t  .  r.,t   up  this  stream  to  the  boundary  with  canoes.     Had  it  proved  feasible  1 
had  intlMHied  making  a  survey  of  this  stream   to   the  boundary   to  «^^'f;;";7  •';;;_.^' 
especially  the  facilities  it  oflered  for  the  transport  of  supplies  m  the  eNcnt  of  a  sui- 
vev  of  the  International  Uoundary  l)eing  undertaken.       .      ,        , 

^  1  reached  Stewart  River  on  the  26th.  Here  I  remained  a  day  taking  magnet  c 
observaliuns,  and  getting  information  from  a  miner,  named  McD.mald,  about  e 
countrv  up  tliat  nv.r.  McDonald  had  sikmU  the  summer  up  the  river  prospecting 
and  exploring.     H.s  information  will  be  given  m  detail  further  on. 


lear  to  be  the 

le  clianiR'l  ami 
veil  below  for 
T  to  the  cliffs 
1  a  fall  here  in 
ft  current,  but 
and  the  rapids 
le  ascent  of  a 
es  below  these 
.rrier  of  rocks, 
across.  Over 
i  descent  of  a 
rent  is  smooth 
Dukl  not  reach 

ho  l.ad  passed 
Ml  having  been 
e  reached  tliat 
net  with  on  the 
e  story  told  at 
alse,  and  stated 
anie  evening  1 
oats,  eacli  con- 
Moore,  from 
and  act  uinpany 

hat  Dr.  Dawson 
any  delays,  and 
was  i)leascd  to 
lich  had  caused 
ranged  between 

0  do  them  until 
me  arranged  to 
irefore  set  about 

1  was  not  likely 
applied  myself 

iitances    for    the 

orld,  leaving  me 
t  can  realize.  1 
y  magnetic  and 
;  river.  On  the 
Here  I  spent 
e,  on  account  of 
s  so  muddy  that 
;  current  is  very 
,rs  in  the  bed  are 
0  men  succeeded 
it  was  useless  to 
proved  feasible  1 
o  discover  more 
e  event  of  a  sur- 

taking  magnelic 
lonalil,  about  tiie 
river  prosi)ecling 


TDK    YUKON    DISTRICT. 


29 


r 


I 


I 

I 
I 


~T' 


3° 


CANADA'S   GREAT    C'.OI,l)    FIELD. 


Fort  Reliance  was  reai^lied  on  the  ist  of  September,  and  Fortymile  River 
(Cone-Hill  River  of  Sclnvatka)  on  the  7th.  In  the  interval  between  Fort  Relianic 
and  Fortymile  River  there  were  several  days  lost  by  rain. 

At  Fortymile  River  I  made  some  arrangements  with  the  traders  there  (Messrs. 
Harper  &  McQiiesten)  about  supplies  during;  the  winter,  and  about  getting  Indians 
to  assist  me  in  crossing  from  the  Yukon  to  the  head  of  the  I'orcuiiine,  or  perhaps  on 
to  the  I'cel  River.  I  then  made  a  survey  of  the  Fortymile  River  up  to  the  canon. 
I  found  the  canon  would  be  difficult  of  ascent,  and  dangerous  to  descend,  and,  there- 
fore, concluded  to  defer  further  operations  until  the  winter,  and  until  aft'^r  I  .kuI 
determined  the  longitude  of  my  winter  post  near  the  bounilary,  when  I  wouUl  be  m  a 
much  better  position  to  locate  the  intersection  of  the  International  Boundary  with 
this  river,  a  point  imi^ortani  to  determine  on  account  of  the  number  and  richness  of 
the  mining  claims  on  the  river. 

I  left  Fortymile  River  for  the  Boundary  Line  between  Alaska  and  the  North- 
west Territories  on  the  12th  September,  and  fmished  the  survey  to  that  point  on  the 
14th.  I  then  spent  two  davs  in  examining  the  valley  of  the  river  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  boundary  to  get  the  most  extensive  view  of  the  horiz(jn  possible,  and  to  ..nd  a 
tree  large  enough  to  serve  for  a  transit  stand. 

Before  leaving  Toronto  I  got  Mr.  Foster  to  make  large  brass  plates  with  V  s  on 
them,  which  could  be  screweil  fiimly  to  a  stump,  and  thus  be  made  to  serve  as  a 
transit  stand.  I  reciuired  a  stump  at  least  22  inches  in  diameter  to  make  a  base 
Ltrge  enough  for  the  plates  when  properly  placed  for  the  transit.  In  a  search  which 
covered  about  four  miles  of  the  river  bank,  on  both  sides,  I  found  only  one  tree  as 
Ui'-^-e  as  iS  inches.  I  mention  this  face  to  give  an  idea  of  the  size  of  the  trees  along 
ti;J"\iver  in  this  vicinity.  I  had  this  stu;r.p  enlarged  by  firmly  fixing  pieces  on  the 
side!^'  so  as  to  tiring  it  up  to  the  requisite  size.  This  done,  I  built  around  the  stum]) 
a  small  Mansir  house  of  the  ordinary  form  and  then  mounted  and  adjusted  my  transit. 
Meanwhile,  most  of  the  party  were  busv  preparing  our  winter  cpiarters  and  building 
a  magnetic  (jbservatory.  As  I  had  been  led  to  expect  extremely  low  temperatures 
during  the  winter,  I  ado])ted  precautionary  measures,  so  as  to  be  as  comfortable  as 
circumstances  would  permit  during  our  slay  there. 


* 


SURVFA'    OK    l-OirrVMILK    RIVKR,    I'KOM    ITS    MOUl'H    TO    TIIK     INTKKNATION.VL 

liOt'ND.VKV    MNK. 

On  the  9th  of  February  I  started  with  the  survey  from  where  I  had  left  it  m  the 
summer,  as  alreadv  mentioned. 

During  the  progress  of  this  work  the  weather  was  cold,  and  as  the  days  were 
only  four  or  five  hours  long  the  progress  was  necessarily  slow,  so  that  I  did  not  com- 
i->lete  the  survey  to  the  boundary  until  the  i  2th.  The  distance  from  the  mouth  of 
the  Fortymile  River  up  it  to  the  boundarv  is,  by  the  river,  twenty-three  miles.  I 
marked  the  approximate  intersection  of  the  river  by  the  boundary  by  blazing  trees 
on  both  sides  and  marked  on  some  of  the  trees  the  letters  "  A  "  and  "  C  "  on  the  west 
and  east  sides,  respectively,  for  Alaska  and  Canada. 

The  natural  features  of  the  ground  here  afford  also  a  good  mark.  On  the  north 
side  of  the  river  two  small  creeks  fall  into  Fortymile  Riv  r,  almost  together,  and  be- 
tween them  there  is  a  sharp  rocky  mound  about  150  feet  high.  This  mound  stands 
about  where  the  boundarv  crosses  the  river,  and  from  this  point  one  can  see  north- 
wards up  the  valleys  of  the  creeks  for  several  miles.  This  is  the  first  place  on  the 
Fortymile  where  such  a  distant  view  can  be  had. 

I  returned  to  the  post  at  the  mouth  of  the  river,  and  spent  two  days  with  the 
traders  Harper  and  McC^uesten  and  the  miners  who  were  camped  around. 

Harper,  McQueslen  ^V  Co.  moved  from  Stewart  River  down  to  this  point  in  the 
spring  of  18S7,  so" as  to  be  where  most  of  the  miners  were  located.  On  Fortymile 
River,  in  the  season  of  1886,  coarse  gold  was  found,  the  first  discovered  on  the 
Yukon  or  any  of  its  tributaries.  Coar.se  gold  is  the  desideratum  of  all  gold  miners, 
and  as  soon'  as  the  news  of  the  discovery  spread  to  the  other  mining  camps,  where 


tymile  River 
'ort  Relianic 

lere  (Messrs. 
ttiiijj  Indians 
or  perhaps  on 
to  tlie  cafion. 
id,  and,  tliere- 
tii  aitT  I  liad 
wouiii  be  in  a 
loiind  iry  with 
ul  richness  of 

d  the  North- 

t  point  on  the 

Lhe  vicinity  of 

and  to  ..nd  a 

;s  with  V's  on 

to  serve  as  a 

inake  a  l)ase 

.  search  wiiicii 

y  one  tree  as 

he  trees  alonji 

pieces  on  I  lie 

jnd  the  stump 

:ed  my  transit. 

and  building 

temperatures 

;omf(>rtal)le  as 


IKKNATIONAI. 

ul  left  it  m  the 

the  days  were 

I  did  not  coni- 
the  mouth  of 

;hree  miles.  I 
y  blazing  trees 
C  "  on  the  west 

On  the  north 

^ether,  and  be- 

mound  stands 

can  see  north- 

t  place  on  the 

days  witli  the 

ind. 

lis  point  in  the 

On   Fortymile 
overed   on   the 

II  gold  miners, 
g  camps,  where 


THE     VrKON    DISTRICT 


31 


tr:- 


3» 


CANADA'S   (".RKA'I"    (lOl-D    FlKl.D 


nothing;  but  fine  or  dust  yoUl  had  yet  been  f-.iiiid.  tlu-y  all  repaired  to  the  coaffc^  no'd 
dijjjjiiiKs  on  Fortymile. 

About  one  hundred  miners  wintered  in  the  country,  most  of  whom  camped  at 
Fortymile.  A  few  wintered  down  at  liie  old  trading  i)ost  built  by  Francois  Mercier 
of  Montreal,  and  named  i)V  him  Belle  Isle.  IMiis  post  is  just  above  where  l.ieut. 
Schwatka  located  the  International  lioundary,  but  it  is  about  twelve  miles  below  the 
boundary  bv  my  survey  and  observations. 

When  i  was  at  Fortymile  River  the  miners  were  very  an.xious  to  see  me,  and  to 
know  our  mining,'  regulations  and  laws.  I  explained  everything'  they  inquired  about 
as  fully  as  my  knowleilge  and  the  documents  at  my  disposal  would  permit.  Many 
of  them  who  were  used  to  the  I'niteil  States  system  of  each  mininjj  coinnumity 
makinii  its  own  by-laws,  based  on  the  general  minin>,f  law  of  the  country,  and  elect- 
ing their  own  recorder  to  attend  to  the  rejiulations  and  see  them  carried  out,  thoujjht 
.some  of  our  regulations  rather  slrin^rent  and  hard.  I  heard  their  statements 
and  answered  such  of  them  as  I  could,  and  also  promised  to  lay  their  views 
before  the  Department.  This  I  have  already  done  in  a  report  sent  by  me  in  the 
spring  of  1888.  As  this  report  is  of  purely  admini.strative  import,  it  is  not  necessary 
to  (juote  it  here.  , 

During  the  winter  there  were  many  cases  of  sickness  at  Fortymile,  most  ot  them 
scurvy.     There  were  three  deaths,  only  one  of  which  was  due  to  scurvy. 

I  returned  to  my  quarters  (mi  the  17th  February,  and  immediately  set  the  party 
at  work  drawing  the  canoes  and  instruments,  and  about  four  months'  provis-ons, 
down  to  Belle  Isle,  about  fifteen  miles  down  the  river  from  my  house.  This  was  to 
be  our  starting  point  for  the  Mackenzie  River. 

DKSCKll'TION    OF   THE   YUKON,    ITS   AKFLUKNT   STRKAMS,    AND   TIIK   .VDJACENT 

COUNTRY. 

I  will  now  give  from  my  own  observation  and  from  information  received,  a 
more  detailed  description  of  the  Lew-s  Ri\er,  its  affluent  streams,  and  the  resources 
of  the  adjacent  country.  ,  .        ,      ■  1 

For  the  purpose  of  navigation  a  description  of  the  Lewes  River  begins  at  the 
head  of  Lake  Bennett.  Above  that  point,  and  between  it  and  Lake  Lindeman, 
there  is  only  about  three-quarters  of  a  mile  of  river,  which  is  about  fifty  yards  wide, 
ami  two  or  three  feet  deep,  and  is  so  swift  and  rough  generally,  that  navigation  is 

out  of  the  question.  .    ,    ,,  .,        ■  ,        ,.   •      1 

Lake  Lindeman  is  about  five  miles  long  and  half  a  mile  wide.  It  is  ileep 
enough  for  all  ordinary  purposes.  Lake  Bennett*  is  twenty-five  and  a  half  miles 
long  the  upper  fourteen  of  which  is  about  half  a  mile  wide.  About  midway  in  its 
length  an  an.-  comes  in  from  the  west,  which  Schwatka  appears  to  have  mistaken 
for  a  river,  and  named  Wheaton  River.  This  arm  is  wider  than  the  other  arm  down 
to  that  point,  and  is  reported  by  Indians  to  be  longer  and  .leading  in  a  glacier  which 
lies  in  the  pa.ss  at  the  head  of  Chilkoot  Inlet.  This  arm  is,  as  far  as  seen,  sur- 
rounded by  high  mountains,  apparently  much  higher  than  those  on  the  arm  we  trav- 
elled down.  Below  the  junction  of  the  two  arms  the  lake  is  about  one  and  a  half 
miles  wide,  with  deep  water.  Above  the  forks  the  water  of  the  east  branch  is 
muddy.  This  is  caused  by  the  stream.^  from  the  numerous  glaciers  on  the  heail  of 
the  tributaries  of   Lake  Lindeman. 

A  stream  which  (lows  into  Lake  Bennett  at  the  south-west  corner  is  also  very 
dirty  and  has  shoaled  quite  a  large  portion  of  the  lake  at  its  mouth.  The  beach  at 
the  lower  end  of  this  lake  is  comparatively  flat  and  the  water  shoal.  A  deep,  wide 
valley  extends  northwards  from  the  north  end  of  the  lake,  apparently  reaching  to  the 
carton,  or  a  short  distance  above  it.  I'his  may  have  been  originally  a  course  for  the 
waters   of  the   river.      The   bottom  of  the  valley  is  wide   and   sandy,   and   covered 

*  A  small  saw-mill  has  been  erecte.l  at  the  head  nf  [.ake  Bennett  ;  lumber  for  boat  building  sells 
at  tioo  per  M.  Boats  25  feet  lont;  an.l  5  feet  beam  are  *6o  each.  Last  year  the  ice  broke  up  in  the 
lake  on  the  12th  June,  but  this  season  is  earlier  tui  the  boats  are  expected  to  go  down  the  lake  al>oul 
the  1st  of  June. 


TMK    YUKON    DISIKICT. 


33 


ie  coars.c  k'''^' 

»m  cainpt'd  at 
incois  Mercier 
e  where  l.ieut. 
liles  l)el()W  the 

see  me,  and  lo 
iiKinireil  al'oiit 
)erinit.  Many 
w^  coiniminity 
try,  and  elect- 
id  out,  tluxij^ht 
eir  statements 
ly  their  views 
It  by  me  in  the 
not  necessary 

!,  most  of  them 
I'y. 

r  set  the  party 
hs'  provisions, 
This  was  to 


UK   ADJACKNT 

on  received,  a 
d  the  resources 

r  begins  at  the 
ake  I.indeman, 
ifty  yards  wide, 
It  navigation  is 

Je.  It  is  deep 
»d  a  half  miles 
t  midway  in  its 

have  mistaken 
nher  arm  down 
a  glacier  which 
ar  as  seen,  siir- 
le  arm  we  trav- 
t  one  and  a  half 

east  brancli  is 
on  the  head  of 

ner  is  also  very 
The  beach  at 
.  A  deep,  wide 
reaching  to  the 
I  course  for  the 
y,   and   covered 

boat  liuilding  sell* 
ice  broke  up  in  the 
lown  the  lake  about 


I 


^^  CANADA'S   GRKAr   tiUl.D    IIKLD. 

xviih  scrnbbv  timber,   miiuipally   poplar  and  pitch-pine.     The  waters  of   the   lake 
a     tv  it  thl  extreme'north.east'aM«ie    through    a    channel    not    ""-than    one 
hmuled  yards  wide,  which  soon  expands  into  what  Schwatka  called   Nares  Lake 
T        ,irh  th  s  narro  V  channel  there  is  cpiite  a  current,  and   more  than  seven  feet  of 
wluer.  as  a  six  loot  paddle  and  a  foot  of  arm  added  to  its  length  d,d  not  reach  the 

^""''"he  hills  at  the  upper  end  of  Lake  Rennet  rise  abruptly  f  om  tiie  wattv's  cdye. 
Af  the  lower  end  they  are  neither  so  steep  nor  so  high.  .      »  „ 

N-  res  Lake  is  only  two  and  a  half  miles  long,  and  its  greatest  width  .s  about  a 
mile  h  Is  not  deep,  but  is  navigable  for  boats  drawing  five  or  six  feet  of  water  ;  .t  .s 
^.par^-ued  from  Lai;  Bennett  by  a  shallow  sandy  point  of  not  more  than  .00  yards 

"'  '"no  streams  of  any  consequence  empty  into  either  of  these  lakes.  A  ^m^ll  river 
flow,  into  I  akl^^  nennett  on  the  west  side,  a  short  distance  north  of  the  fork,  and 
"n  the  t  e  e-itreme  north-west  angle,  but  neitl^er  of  them  .s  ot  any  consequence 
11;   a   navigable   sense.     The   for.ner   seems   to   be  what  Schwatka  referred   to  as 

^^^^^Naref 'iTke  flows  through  a  narrow  curved  channel  into  Tagish  Lake.  Tlji.. 
chu.nelTsn  mJethan  6oo\.r  700  yards  long,  and  the  water  m  .t  appears  ..be 
5  ^  e  n Iv  ee  fo?  boats  that  could  navigate  the  lake.  The  land  between  the  lake 
H^.  thsclKunel  s  low,  swampy,  and  covered  with  willows,  and,  at  the  stage  n 
w  h  saw  did  not  ri  e  m..re  than  three  feet  above  the  water.  1  he  lulls  on  he 
To  hweTsiU.  slope  up  easily,  and  are  not  high  ;  on  the  north  side  the  deep  val le 
'^adrrSeTred  t"]  bonders  it';  and  on  the  east  side  ti.e  mountams  r.se  abruptly 

"■"'"'I'lSiUf  Late  is' about  a  mile  wide  for  the  firs^  two  miles  of  its  length,  wl^n  it  is 

ioine  1  In'   via   the  miners  have  called  the  Windy  Arm.     One  of  the  I  ag.sh  Ind.ans 

n  onne    ne  they  called  it  Takone   Lake.     Here  the  lake  expands  to  a  w.dih  of 

m  t  t wo  milef  for  a  distance  of  some  three  miles,  when  .t  suddenly  narrows   o 

about  half  a  mile  for  a  distance  of  a  little  over  a  mile,  after  wh.ch  .t  w.dens  agam  to 

^'^"T^nmuJ^tm't^^heairof  the  lake  it  is  joined  by  the  Taku  Arm  from  the 

south      Tls'rm  must  be  of  considerable  length,  as  it  can  be  seen  for  a  ong  d  s - 

tnn  e'  ind  its  valley  can  be  traced  through  the  mountains  much  farther  than  the 

ake  i'tCe  f  c  n  be  seln      It  is  apparently  over  a  mile  wide  at  its  mouth  or  junction. 

)aws.  ^n?hiu.s  all  theU  arms  under  the  common  name  of    lagish  Lake^ 

This  is  nuc    more  simple  and  comprehensive  than  the  various  names  given  them  by 

treles      These  waters  collectively  are  the  fishing  and  hunting  grounds  of   the 

Tag-lh  Tndians!SKl  as  they  are  really  one  body  of  water,  there  is  no  reason  why  they 

cIk.iiIiI  not  be  all  included  under  one  name.  ,.11  „f 

Frmtht  junction  with  the  Taku  Arm,  or  the  easterly  arm,  to  the  north  end  ot 

the  .ake    he  diiumce  is  about  six  miles,  the  greater  nart  being  over  two  "ules  wide 

The"  west  side  is  very  flat  and  shallow,  so  m  ich  so  Jiat  it  was  impossible    n  man) 

place     to  get  our  alno.s  to  the  shore,' and  c,uite  a  distance  out  in  the  lake    here  was 

not  more  th  in  five  feet  of  water.     The  members  of  my  party,  who  were  .1   chaige  of 

r  .     g    bo^   and  outfit,  went  down. the  east  side  of  the  lake  and  -1-rted  the  dep  h 

nboiit  The  sime  as  I  found  -n  the  west  .-le.  with  many  large  rocks.     The>  passed 

th  ou\r    It  in  the  night  in  a  ram  storm,  and  were  much  alarmed  for  the  safety  of  the 

bo Tt  Sd  pov  sio,  r   It  would  appear  that  this  part  of  the  lake  requires  some  n- 

p^oiement  to  make  it  in  keeping  with  the  rest  of  the  water  system  with  which  it  is 

'""' Whe'Je  the  river  debouches  from  it,  it  is  about  150  yards  wide,  and  for  a  short 
distace  not  more  than  5  or  6  feet  deep.  The  depth  -' '---:f.\-^'VLake  Tl  e 
10  feet  or  more,  and  so  continues  down  to  what  bchwatka  calls  Maish  Lake.      1  He 

""^*^ecor>nect.ng  waters  between   Lake  Bettnett  and  Tagish  Lake  constitute  what  is  now  called 

Caribou  Crossing.  .,    ,     ,  ,        . 

+  The  middle  of  the  lake  is  dee,,  enough  for  any  craft  that  can  sail  the  lakes  above. 


m^imm^^tmm^ 


Tiir,  \rK()N  DisTRicr. 


M 


of    tlie   lake 

lore    than    one 

Nares  Lake.* 

1  seven  feet  of 

I  not  reach  the 

e  water's  etljje. 

dth  IS  about  a 

v)f  water  ;  it  is 

than  200  yards 

A  small  river 

if  the  fork,  and 

iiy  conseciiience 

referred   to  as 

sh  Lake.  Thi.^ 
it  appears  to  be 
tween  the  lakes 
at  the  sta)j;e  in 
he  hills  on  the 
the  deep  valley 
lis  rise  abruptly 

;ngth,  when  it  is 
Tagish  Indians 
s  to  a  width  of 
lenly  narrows  to 
widens  again  to 

u  Arm  from  the 
n  for  a  long  dis- 
farther  than  the 
ith  or  junction, 
of  Tagish  Lake. 
:s  given  them  by 
grounds  of  the 
reason  why  they 

the  north  end  of 
two  miles  wide, 
possible  in  many 
le  lake  there  was 
,vere  in  charge  of 
;ported  the  depth 
cs.  They  passed 
the  safety  of  the 
requires  some  im- 
i  with  which  it  is 

e,  and  for  a  short 
ioon  increased  to 
lursh  Lake.     The 

i  what  i.s  now  called 


36 


CANADA'S    (iki;\l'    (.01. 1)    II  KID. 


miners  call  it  Mud  T,aki\  !)ut  on  tliix  name  they  do  not  appear  to  be  agreed,  many  of 
them  callinj,'  the  lower  part  of  lavish  Lake  "  Mud  Lake,"  on  account  of  its  shallow 
ness  and  flat,  nnddy  shores,  as  seen  alonjj  the  west  side,  the  side  nearly  always  trav- 
elled, as  it  is  more  sheltered  from  the  i)revailin)^'  southerly  winds.  'I'lie  term  "  Mud 
l^ake  "  is,  however,  not  api)lical)le  to  tiiis  lake,  as  only  a  comparatively  small  |)art  of 
it  is  shallow  or  muddy  ;  and  it  is  nearly  as  inapplicable  to  Marsh  Lake,  as  the  latter 
is  not  markedly  muddy  alony  the  west  side,  and  from  the  appearance  of  the  east 
shore  one  would  not  judge  it  to  be  so,  as  the  banks  appear  to  be  hi^h  anil  gravelly. 

Marsh  Lake  is  a  little  over  i\ineteen  miles  long,  ant'  averages  about  two  miles  in 
width.  I  tried  to  determine  the  width  of  it  as  I  went  along  with  my  survey,  by  tak- 
ing azimuths  of  points  on  the  eastern  sho.e  fron  different  stations  of  the  survey  ; 
but  in  onlv  one  case  did  I  succeed,  as  there  were  no  |)rominent  marks  on  that  shore 
which  could  be  identifieil  from  more  than  one  place.  I'he  piece  of  river  comiecting 
Tagish  and  Nhirsh  Lakes  is  about  five  miles  long,  and  averages  150  to  200  yards  in 
width,  and,  as  already  mentioned,  is  deep,  except  for  a  short  distance  at  the  head. 
On  it  are  situated  the  only  Indian  houses  to  be  found  in  the  interior  with  any  jireten- 
sion  to  skill  i"  "onstruct  on.  They  show  much  mc.re  labour  and  imitativeness  than 
one  knowing  ^  _  -t>ing  al  out  the  Indian  in  his  native  state  would  expect.  The  plan 
is  evidently  taken  trom  the  Indian  houses  on  the  coast,  which  appei^i  to  me  to  be  a 
poor  copy  of  the  houses  which  the  Hudson  Hay  Company's  servants  build  around 
tlieir  trading  posts.  These  houses  do  not  appear  to  have  been  used  for  some  time 
past,  and  are  almost  in  ruins.  The  Tagish  Indians  are  now  generally  on  the  coast, 
as  they  find  it  much  ea.sier  to  live  there  than  in  their  own  country.  .\s  a  niatter  of 
fact,  what  they  make  in  their  own  country  is  taken  from  them  by  the  Coast  Indians, 
so  that  there  is  little  inducement  for  them  to  remain. 

The  Lewes  River,  where  it  leaves  Marsh  Lake,  is  about  200  yards  wide,  and 
averages  this  width  as  far  as  the  cafion.  I  did  not  try  to  find  bottom  anywhere  as  I 
went  along,  except  where  I  had  reason  to  think  it  shallow,  and  there  I  always  tried 
with  my  paddle.  I  did  not  anywhere  find  bottom  with  this,  which  shows  that  there 
is  no  part  of  this  stretch  of  the  river  with  less  than  six  feet  of  water  at  medium 
height,  at  which  stage  it  appeared  to  me  the  river  was  at  that  time. 

From  the  head  of  I-ake  Bennett  to  the  caflon  the  corrected  distance  is  ninety- 
five  miles,  all  of  which  is  navigable  for  boats  drawing  five  feet  or  more.  Add  to  this 
the  westerly  arm  of  Lake  Bennett,  and  the  Windy  Arm  of  Tagish  Lake,  each  about 
fifteen  miles  in  length,  and  the  easterly  arm  of  the  latter  lake,  of  unknown  length, 
but  probably  not  less  than  thirty  miles,  and  we  have  a  stretch  oi'  water  of  upwards 
of  one  hundred  miles  in  length,  all  easily  navigable  ;  and,  as  has  been  pointed  out, 
easily  connected  vith  Dyea  Inlet  thrji.gh  the  White  Pass. 

No  streams  of  any  importance  enter  any  of  these  lakes  so  far  as  I  know.  A 
river,  called  by  Schwatka  "  McClintock  River,"  enters  Marsh  Lake  at  the  lower  end 
from  the  east.  It  occupies  a  larj'e  valley,  as  seen  from  the  westerly  side  of  the 
lake,  but  the  stream  is  apparent',  unimportant  Another  small  stream,  apparently 
only  a  creek,  enters  the  soulii-east  angle  of  the  lake.  It  is  net  probable  that  any 
stream  coming  from  the  east  side  of  the  lake  is  of  importance,  as  the  strip  of  country 
between  the  Lewes  and  Teslin  is  not  more  than  thirty  or  forty  mil  «  in  width  at  this 
point. 

The  easterly  arm  of  Tagish  Lake  is,  so  far,  with  the  exception  of  rejiorts  from 
Indians,  unknown  ;  but  it  is  equally  improbable  that  any  river  of  importance  enters 
it,  as  it  is  so  near  the  source  of  the  waters  flowing  northwards.  However,  this  is  a 
(juestion  that  can  only  be  decided  by  a  proper  exploration.  The  caflon  !  have 
already  described,  and  will  only  add  that  it  is  five-eighths  of  a  mile  long,  about  100 
feet  wide,  with  perpendicular  banks  of  basaltic  rock  from  60  to  100  feet  high. 

Below  the  caflon  proper  there  is  a  stretch  of  rapids  for  about  a  mile  ;  then  about 
half  a  mile  of  smooth  water,  following  which  are  the  White  Horse  Rapids,  which  are 
three-eightli.-,  of  a  mile  long,  and  unsafe  for  boats. 

The  total  fall  in  the  cailon  and  succeeding  rapids  was  measured  and  found  to 
be  32  feet.  Were  it  ever  necessary  to  make  this  part  of  the  river  navigable,  it  will 
be  no  easy  task  to  overcome  the  obstacles  at  this  point  ;   but  a  tram    )r  railway 


THK    VrKON    DISTRICT. 


37 


grcetl,  many  of 

(if  its  shallow 

ly  always  trav- 

lie  term  "  Mud 

ly  small  part  of 

e,  as  tlic  latter 

ice  of  tlic  cast 

h  and  gravelly. 

lit  two  miles  in 

survey,  by  tak- 

of  the  survey  ; 

s  on  that  shore 

vi:r  connecting 

to  200  yards  in 

e  at  tlie  head. 

ith  any  preten- 

tativeness  than 

)ecc.     The  |ilan 

A-  to  me  to  be  a 

ts  build  around 

d  for  some  time 

ly  on  the  coast, 

As  a  matter  of 

e  Coast  Indians, 

yards  wide,  and 
in  anywhere  as  I 
re  I  always  tried 
hows  tiiat  there 
rater  at  medium 

>tance  is  ninety- 
)re.  Add  to  this 
I>ake,  each  about 
unknown  length, 
ivater  of  upwards 
een   pointed  out, 

ir  as  1  know.  A 
at  the  lower  end 
terly  side  of  the 
ream,  apparently 
irobable  that  any 
it  strip  of  country 
«  in  width  at  this 

of  reports  from 
mportance  enters 
lowever,  tiiis  is  a 
le  cafion   I   have 

long,  about   100 
feet  high, 
mile  ;  then  about 
^.apids,  which  are 

ired  and  found  to 
navigable,  it  will 
tram    )r  railway 


ii' 

• 

i 

-.    •-'  f*". 

.  w 

■"'J  •*■'.  •>-  ■ 

.  >■ 

■3>      t 

&^ 

'h.'^'^ 

^Si^^^^^^^^^'UHHi^lHHi 

/•ivin  /'/ii>ti>.  I'y  J-  /■  Mi  Arthur. 
Diilton's  Pack  Train  at   Oalton's  I'ost  —  I.onkinfj  South. 

could,  with  very  little  difficulty,  be  constructed  along  the  east  side  of  the  river  past 
them. 

For  some  distance  below  the  White  Horse  Rapids  the  current  is  swift  and  the 
river  wide,  with  many  gravel  bars.  The  reach  between  these  rapids  and  Lake 
Labarge,  a  distance  of  twenty-seven  and  a  half  miles,  is  all  smooth  water,  with  a 
strong  current.  The  average  width  is  about  150  yards.  There  is  no  impediment  to 
navigation  other  than  the  swift  current,  and  this  is  no  stronger  than  on  the  lower 
part  of  the  river,  which  is  already  navigateil  ;  nor  is  it  worse  than  on  the  Saskatche- 
wan and  Red  Rivers  in  the  more  eastern  part  of  our  territory. 

About  midway  in  this  stretch  the  Takhini  River*  joins  the  Lewes.  This  river 
is,  apparently,  about  half  the  size  of  the  latter.  Its  waters  are  muddy,  indicating 
its  passage  through  a  clayey  district.  I  got  some  indefinite  information  about  this 
river  from  an  Indian  who  hap|)ened  to  meet  me  just  below  its  mouth,  but  I  could 
not  reatlily  make  him  understand  me,  and  his  replies  were  a  compound  of  Chinook, 
Tagish  and  signs,  and  therefore  largely  unintelligible.  From  what  I  could  under- 
stand with  any  certainty,  the  river  was  easy  to  descend,  there  being  no  bad  rapids, 
and  it  came  out  of  a  lake  much  larger  than  any  I  had  yet  passed. 

Here  I  may  remark  that  1  have  invariably  found  it  difficult  to  get  reliable  or 
definite  information  from  Indians.  The  reasons  for  this  are  many.  Most  of  tiiose  it 
has  been  my  lot  to  meet  are  e.vpecting  to  make  something,  and  consequently  aie 
very  chary  about  doing  or  saying  anything  unless  they  think  they  will  be  well 
rewarded  for  it.  They  are  naturally  very  suspicious  of  strangers,  and  it  takes  some 
time,  and  some  knowledge  of  their  language,  to  overcome  this  suspicion  and  gain 
their  confidence.     If  you  begin  at  once  to  ask  questions  about  their  country,  without 


1 


*  The  Takhini  w.as  formerly  much  used  hy  the  Chilkat  Inilians  as  a  means  of  reaching  the  interior 
but  never  by  the  miners,  owing  to  the  distance  from  the  sea  to  its  head. 


n-- 


.?» 


CANADA'S   (iKKAl    (IOI.H    IIKI.I> 


prt'vinimly  liavinc  ilicm  iiiidi'istan.l  tliat  ynii  h.ivf  mm  mifririidly  motive  in  fining 
so.  tlicy  I'k'i Kmc  al.iriiu'ii.  .mil  .iltliMiij^ii  y<')ii  may  imt  mcft  with  a  pi.sitive  n-liisal  to 
an'swfr  (im-stions.  voii  make  very  little  progress  iii  Kettmvr  desired  information  ( >ii 
the  other  hand,  I  have  met  <'.ises  where  either  throiinh  fear  or  hope  ot  reward,  they 
weieoiilv  too  juixious  to  impart  .ill  they  knew  or  had  heard,  ami  even  more  if  the" 
Ihoiik'lit 'it  would  ple.ise  their  he.irer  I  need  h.irdly  say  tli.it  such  information  is 
often  not  at  all  in  at cordaii'  e  with  the  faits. 

I  have  several  times  found  that  some  act  of  mine  wl'.en  in  their  I'resence  h.l■^ 
ar<Mised  either  their  fear,  superstition  or  ciiiiidity.  As  an  instance:  on  the  liel 
Kiver  I  met  sonu'  Indians  coining  down  stream  as  1  w.is  vjoiiii,'  np  ^^'^  were  ashore 
.11  the  time,  ami  invited  them  to  join  ns.  They  started  to  come  in,  hut  very  slowly, 
.mil  all  the  time  kept  a  watchful  eve  on  us.  I  noticed  th.it  my  doiible-b.uiclled 
shot  unn  was  lvin«  at  mv  feet,  loadeil,  and  picked  it  up  to  unload  it.  as  I  knew  they 
would  he  h.indlm^f  it  after  landm«.  'I'liis  alarmed  them  so  much  that  it  was  some 
time  hefore  they  (  a:iie  m.  and  1  don't  think  they  would  have  come  ashore  at  all  had 
they  not  heard  that  a  partv  of  white  men,  of  whom  we  .mswered  the  description,  were 
coming  through  th.it  wav '(thev  had  learned  lliis  from  the  Hudson  li.iy  Companys 
utificers),  and  coiiclnded  'we  we're  the  party  described  to  them,  .\fier  drmkinti  .some 
of  our  tea,  and  uettiii>f  a  supply  for  themselves,  they  became  (piile  tneiully  and 
cuinmunicalive. 

.\>;ain,  on  the  Mackenzie  kiver,  while  two  Indians  were  comiiii;  ashore  at  my 
(amp.  I  i)i'cked  up  a  telescope  to  look  for  a  sijrnal  across  the  river.  In  lookin.i,;-^lor 
It  I  h'.id  to  point  it  towards  the  Indians,  who  immedi.itely  turned  and  tied.  Next 
(lav  1  called  ;il  the  Indian  encampment  and  explained  throuKh  my  interpreter  what 
1  had  really  done.  When  they  understood  it,  it  caused  the  camp  much  amusement. 
At  Foil  (iood  Hope,  on  t'he  Mackenzie.  I  heard  of  an  old  Indian  who  had  been 
a  Kreat  deal  on  the  Hare  Indian  River  and  could  ^ive  valuable  information  re.y:ard- 
ing  it.  I  asked  to  have  him  i)roU),dit  in,  that  I  mi„ht  ipieslion  him.  In  the  me. in- 
time  I  set  about  ijettim;  an  observation  for  azimuth,  and  was  busy  observin^r  when 
he  came.  The  interpreter  asked  me  what  I  was  doinu  ;  1  told  him.  He  asked 
wh.-il  1  was  lookin;^  up  so  much  for;  I  said  I  was  looking  at  a  star.  As  the  time 
was  early  in  the  evening,  and  the  sun  well  up  in  the  sky.  he  at  first  doubted  my 
statement,  but,  finally  l)elievm^\  he  explained  to  the  Indians  around  what  1  w.is 
doinji  and  pointed  out  to  them  where  the  star  was.  'I'hey  looked  up  m  an  awed 
m.inner.  and  walked  oil.  When  1  finished  my  observation  and  imiuired  for  the  old 
man.  1  was  told  that  he  was  not  inclined  to  see  me.  I  found  him.  but  he  refused 
to  answer  any  ipieslions,  savmy;  that  there  was  no  use  in  telling  me  anylhinjf,  tor 
when  1  could  see  stars  during'  dayliiiht  1  coulil  just  as  easily  see  all  the  nver,  and 
nothinji  could  convince  him  to  the  contrary. 

I  cite  these  as  instances  of  what  one  meets  with  who  comes  in  contact  witii 
Indians,  and  of  how  trifles  affect  them.  A  sojourn  of  two  or  three  days  with  them 
and  the  assistance  of  a  common  friend  would  ilo  much  to  disabuse  them  of  such 
ideas,  but  when  you  have  no  such  aids  yon  must  not  expect  to  make  much  progress 
Lake  LabarRe  is  thirty-one  miles  long.  In  the  upi)er  thirteen  it  vanes  tiom 
three  to  four  miles  in  width  ;  it  then  narrows  to  about  two  miles  for  a  distance  ot 
seven  miles,  when  it  begins  to  widen  again,  and  gradually  expands  to  about  tw'o 
ami  a-half  or  three  miles,  the  lower  six  miles  ot  it  maintainin^j  the  latter  width. 
The  survey  was  carried  along  the  western  shore,  .ind  while  so  engaged  I  ileter- 
inined  the  width  of  the  u\^ptT  wide  part  by  triangulation  at  two  points,  the  width 
of  the  narrow  middle  part  at  tnree  points,  and  the  width  of  the  lower  i)art  at  three 
points.  Dr.  Dawson  on  his  way  out  made  a  track  survey  of  the  eastern  shore. 
The  western  shore  is  irregular  in  many  jilaces,  being  indented  by  large  bays,  especi- 
ally at  the  upper  anil  lower  ends.  These  bays  are,  as  a  rule,  shallow,  more  especi- 
ally those  at  the  lower  end.  •  i       i       i 

Just  above  wh're  the  lake  narrows  in  the  middle  there  is  a  large  island.  It  is 
three  and  a-half  miles  long  and  about  half  a  mile  in  width.  It  ;s  shown  on 
Schwatku's  map  as  a  peninsula,  and  called  by  him  Richtofen  Rocks.  How  he 
came  to  think  it  a  peninsula  1  cannot  understand,  as  it  is  well  out  m  the  lake  ;  the 


iiii:  MKoN  iMsiKitrr. 


39 


intivL'  in  fining 
sitive  refusal  to 
'iriiiatioii.  <  )ii 
if  lew. nil,  tlicv 
n  moif  if  tilt"' 
I  iiiforiiiation  is 

•ir  presfiicf  li.is 

:    ..n    till-    llill 

\\'r  wvn:  asiiDH- 

It   VL'iy  slowly. 

Mil)le-I)arrellfil 

i>  I  knew  tln'V 

i.it   it  w;is  soiiiL- 

xliorf  at  all  iiad 

cscription,  wcTc 

11, ly  Company's 

ilnnkini,r  some 

lie   fruMully  and 

ii  ashore  at  my 
In  lookiny;  for 
and  lied.  Next 
iiiifil)reler  wliat 
iicli  amiisfnuMit. 
Ill  wlio  liad  heen 
rmation  rejjanl- 

I.  In  the  mean- 
observin^f  when 
him.      lie  askeil 

ir.  As  tile  liiiu 
irst  doubted  ni> 
and  what  1  was 
u|)  in  an  aweil 
ired  for  tiie  old 

II.  liiit  in;  refused 
me  aiiythin<(,  fur 
all  liie  river,  and 

;  in  contaet  with 
days  with  them 
ise  them  of  such 
much  jirogress, 
LMi  it  varies  from 
or  a  distance  of 
ds  to  about  two 
the  latter  widtli. 
n;rajjetl  I  deter- 
points,  the  wultli 
er  part  at  three 
e  eastern  sliore 
rjje  bays,  espcci- 
ow,  more  es[)eci- 

jje  island.     It  is 

It    is    shown    on 

fl(jcks.     How    he 

in  the  lake  ;  the 


nearest  iiomt  of  it  to  the  western  shore  is  upwards  of  h.ilf  .i  mile  dist. int.  .iiid  the 
extremi"  width  of  the  lake  here  is  not  more  tli.iii  five  miles,  wliu  h  iiirhiiles  thi- 
depth  of  the  deepest  b.iys  on  the  western  side.  It  is  therefore  ditlnult  to  under- 
stand that  he  did  not  see  it  as  at)  island.  The  upper  ludf  of  this  iidand  is  ^^raveliy, 
and  does  not  rise  very  hi),di  above  the  lake.  Tlu;  lower  end  is  rocky  and  limh,  the 
rot  k  bemj{  of  a  brijjht  red  colour. 

.\t  till'  lower  tiid  of  the  Like  there  is  ;i  l.ir^je  valley  exteiulini;  northwards,  wine  li 
has  eviilenlly  at  oiu'  time  been  the  oiitk'l  of  the  Like.  I  )r.  I  Liwsnii  li.is  noted  it  and 
its  peculiarities.  Mis  remarks  re^jardinjj  it  will  be  found  oii  p.iyes  i50-i6onf  his 
report  entitled  "  \iikoii  District  and  Northern  jiortion  of  llritisli  ('ohimbia."  pub- 
lishetl  in  iS.Si). 

The  width  of  the  I, ewes  Kiver  as  it  li'aves  the  l.akt'  is  the  same  as  at  Us  en- 
trance, about  aoo  yards.  Its  w. iters  when  I  was  there  were  murky.  This  is  c.iiised 
by  the  action  of  the  waves  on  the  shore  alon^j  the  lower  end  of  the  lake.  I'lie  water 
at  the  upper  end  and  at  the  middle  of  the  lake  is  ipiite  clear,  so  much  so  that  the 
bottom  can  be  distinctly  seen  at  a  de|)th  of  6  or  ;  feet.  The  wind  blows  almost 
toiistaiitly  down  tins  Like,  and  in  a  liiyli  wind  it  yets  very  roiiy;h.  The  miners  loiii- 
pLiin  of  miK  h  detention  owiny;  to  this  cause,  and  I'ertainiy  1  cannot  complain  i  :  a 
lack  of  wind  while  1  was  on  the  lake.  This  lake  was  named  after  one  Mike  l.abariic, 
a  Canadian  from  the  vicinity  of  .Montreal,  who  was  en),My;eil  by 'Jie  Western  rnion 
Telejirajih  C'ompany,  e.xplorinji  the  river  and  adjacent  country  for  the  purpose  of 
connectin;j  I'liirope  and  America  by  televjraph  tliroii);li  I'ritisli  ("oliimbia,  and  .\Liska, 
and  across  l!erin)f  Strait  to  .\sia,  and  thence  to  l^urope.  I'liis  explor.itioii  took  pLice 
in  1867,  but  it  does  not  appear  that  I.abarjfe  then,  nor  for  some  years  after,  saw  the 
lake  called  by  his  name.  The  successful  layiiijj;  of  the  .\tlaiitic  cable  in  \^<>(i  put 
a  stoj)  to  this  projei:t,  and  the  e.viilorinjj  parties  sent  out  were  recalled  as  soon  as 
word  could  be  mtl  to  them.  It  seems  that  Labar),^'  h.id  )j;ot  up  as  far  as  the  I'elly 
before  he  rec:eivcd  his  recall  ;  he  had  liearil  somelhm:^  of  a  lai).re  lake  some  tlistance 


'V 


i 

3 


I'nm,  riioto.  h'J.  J.  M.l'l'.iir 
Looking  North.— .Summit  of  White  Pass  to  ihc   Left  of  Centre. 


CANADA'S   (IREAT    (lOLD    KIKM). 
40 

further  up  the  river,  and  afterwards  spoke  of  it  to  son,e  tra.k-rs  and  miners  who 

'"'''Aflfle'iiini  Lake  U.l,ar«e  the  river,  for  a  .hstance  of  al>ont  Hye  miles  pre- 
serve   a  ^e  en  lly  uSfona  width  and  an  easy  current  of  ahout  four  -^es  per  hour^ 

:.fford  passage  for  boats  drawing  at  least  5  feet.     It  is,  as  a  lule,  crookeu,  anu 
"'•"^;^^ciJ;!:*^'^^so'ca;S'i;^l>••■  Dawson-thls.   according   to   infornu^tion 

tf°t  above  i,=  lowc».  summer  level,  while  the  TesI      .   i»;";"l  '".X;  ,M    Lduce 

i;i-„»^s=;"hei::r!,r";;'s^;:i''<-v.~3.,i^ 
1^7? v;::i l"c^st  ■r.^^'SsrL?"  ™ui'h. a- -  ;-.^'S^^5.o^ :  r 

"'='T.a;;v\S'ag' 'rxt"eeh''rtl,[S-a  ma„  named  M„n„,e  „ro»„ec,ed  up  the  Taku 

iheie  hfaccomu  o"  the  appearance  of  the  lake,  which  was  not  detailed  enough  to 

''^  '^  ASu;:ing  this  as  the  main  river,  and  abiding  its  length  ^^^^^^^'^l^^^ 
low  the  iunctTon  gives  upwards  of  2,200  miles  of  nver,  fully  two-thirds  olwlucn  runs 
ihrntigVa^er;  mountainous  country,  without  an  impediment  to  navigation.  It  is 
reported  to  be  better  timbered  than  the  Lewes. 

'    Some  indefinite  information  wr.s  obtained  as  to  the  i;;>.f.  [''^  "^  ^;j' ^^^"^^^^^ 
neighl^nlrhood  of  Marsh  Lake  tending  to  show  that  the  distance  between  them  xsas 
oiilv  about  thirty  or  forty  miles. 

— ^  ,.n„l..  ...n.,U  of  p..pec,in,  that  '- J-".;;-- -.^>:;X:^:tl*;r:r"w£K '^ 
f,„c  ^oU\  luwin^^  l.ec„  fouml  in  M  parts  of  the  nvor.      lit  ''^'"'^ ';\;,"l  f^  ^^^  i,,,^\n   can  be 

dcvdopn.en..  and  tins  .,11  not  ,;c  ;'vcn:omo  to  any  --^^^^'^^l^Z\\^Zicu\n.^ ^i^n<i^^^i,  acccs. 
brou^'lu  over  the  coast  range  t,.  the  head  of  the  luti.      liu  eu  .        >   ^  ^^^  ,_^.^^ 

Ki'is^u-'';;;';-'.-;  ;;;;;:"£ ';.»~Jt  -«"-  i^-^-  ™-"""- '-'«"«"  -"'  ^^ 

opened  up. 


,  and  miners  who 

)iit  five  miles,  pre- 
iir  miles  per  hour. 
AS  in  exactly  the 
rply  to  its  general 
;  below  it  —  in  all 
J  found  it  from  six 
generally  swift  to 
barge.  The  aver- 
pth  is  suflicient  to 
crooked,  and  con- 

ng   to  information 

•s  "  I  lootalinkwa  " 
have  bestowed  no 
ich  larger  than  the 
tated  it  as  a  fact, 
the  mouth  to  make 
)ut  on  his  way  out 
ferred  to,  gives  the 
3,015  feet  ;  Teslin, 
peared  to  be  about 

to  be  at  its  lowest 
ta,  it  would  reduce 
)  the  current  in  the 

of  the  Teslin,  the 
iiarge  of  the  Lewes, 

6  feet.  To  reduce 
liarge  15,600  feet, 
n  appearance  to  the 
inference  of  volume 
he  river  below  the 
,  unhesitatingly  pro- 
1  blue  in  colour,  and 
ever,  to  prevent  one 

ipected  up  the  Taku 
rom  that  river.  He 
,  and  then  recrossed 
rd  from  t'le  miners 
detailed  enough  to 

be  Lewes-Yukon  be- 

■thirds  of  which  runs 

0  navigation,     li    is 

1  of  this  river  in  the 
c  between  them  was 


id  to  lie  ver;'  satisfactory, 
lie  i;ri.'at  diawback  to  its 
;ins  heavy  freijjlit  can  l)e 
iriiciillies  attendiiif;  access 
sent  is  the  want  of  lieavy 
e  of  the  requirements  an  '. 
,iirv;ys  for  trails  and  rail- 
port.ition  facilities  will  be 


THK    YUKON    DISTRICT. 


4' 


Between  the  Teslin  and  the  Big  Salmon,  so  called  by  the  miners,  or  DWbbadic 
by  Schwatka,  tiie  distance  is  thirty-three  and  a-half  miles,  in  which  the  Ltnvos  pre 
serves  a  generally  uniform  width  and  current.  Kor  a  few  miles  below  the  'Tesiin  it 
is  a  little  over  the  ordinary  width,  but  then  contracts  to  about  two  hundretl  yards, 
which  it  maintains  with  little  variation.  The  current  is  generally  from  four  to  five 
miles  per  hour. 

'The  Big  Salmon  I  found  to  be  about  one  hundred  yards  wide  near  the  mouth, 
the  depth  not  more  than  four  or  five  feet,  and  the  current,  so  far  as  could  be  seen, 
sluggish.  None  of  the  miners  I  met  could  give  me  any  information  concerning 
this  stream  ;  but  Dr.  Daw.son  was  more  fortunate,  and  met  a  man  who  had  spent 
most  of  the  summer  of  1887  jirospecting  on  it  His  opinion  was  that  it  mignt  be 
navigable  for  small  stern-wheel  steamers  for  many  miles.*  'I'he  valley,  as  seen 
from  the  mouth,  is  wide,  and  gives  one  the  impression  of  being  occupied  by  a  mrch 
more   important  stream.     Looking  iiii  it.  in  the  distance  could  be  seen  many  high 


Eagle's  Nest. 


/•'rom  Photo,  by  W.  Of^ilvie. 


peaks  covered  with  snow.  As  the  date  was  August  it  is  likely  they  are  always  so 
covered,  which  would  make  their  probable  altitude  above  the  river  5,000  feet  or 
more. 

Dr.  Dawson,  in  his  report,  incorporates  fully  the  notes  obtained  from  the  miners. 
I  will  trespass  so  far  on  these  as  to  say  that  they  called  the  distance  to  a  small  lake 
near  the  head  of  the  river  n^  o  miles  from  the  mouth.  This  lake  was  estimated  to  be 
four  miles  in  length;  another  lake  about  12  miles  above  this  was  estimated  to  be 
twenty-four  miles  long,  and  its  upper  end  distant  only  about  eight  miles  from  the 
Teslin.  These  distances,  if  correct,  make  this  river  much  more  important  than  a 
casual  glance  p.t  it  would  indicate  ;  this,  however  will  be  more  fully  spoken  of 
under  its  proper  head. 

♦  My  examination  of  the   mouth  of  this   stream   in   1895   leads   me  to   believe   this  opinion   is 
erroneous. — W.  O, 


1 


CANADA'S    C.REAl     (lOl.D    I'lKI.D. 

Tust  below  the  I'.ig  Salmon,  the  Lewes  takes  a  bend  of  ^'^^'^y.l'}^^'^''^^^ 
Its  course  from  the  junction  with  the  Takliini  to  th.s  p.j.nt  .s  generally  a  1>     «-  J-'^s 
if  nor"h  ;  at      is  point  it  turns  to  nearly  west  for  some  chstance.     Its  '^-^l^-^^^ 
here  and  its  conlluence  with  the   I'elly  is  n<,rth-west   and,  1  .nay  add    U  I   ^serves 

^""T'ie'uwr beu.ee,.  .he  Lit.le  Sahno,,  and  .he  Nordenskiold,  mahj.ains  a  .vij.h 
o,  t.  ,^'rS'  ,h"e",.,„ch-ed  yards,  with  f  ;'--'''""'^^^'l^^Sl 

per  Iwar-I.ul  .he  wa.er  seems  to  be  deep  enough  for  any  boat  that  ,s  hkely  to 
navigate  it. 


^ 


THK    YUKON    DISIRICT. 


43 


a  rifiht  anpfle. 
ly  a  little  east 
[)nrse  between 
il,  it  preserves 
The  river  also 
mis  into  wliat 
of  considerable 

ies  the  greatest 
11,  among  these 
ay  clown  ;  con- 
hat  a  channel 
ir,  in  the  main 
my  paddle,  but 
course  1  often 

e  Salmon  —  the 
-ds  wide  at  the 
s  clear  and  of  a 
as  can  be  seen 
extensive,  bears 
t.  Six  or  seven 
rock,  apparently 
lis  stream,  but  I 

n  that  direction 
id  then  makes  a 
it,  which  will,  at 
will  shorten  the 

he  Eagle's  Nest 
It  rises  about 
itone.  What  the 
the  river,  which 
le  .ivr^r  there  are 
if  rock.  One  of 
from  t..e  Eagle's 

iver  enters  from 

me  hundred  and 

valley,  as  far  as 

to  tell  what   its 

naintains  a  width 
1  where  there  are 
the  Nordenskiold 
led  by  Schwatka 
;ight  miles.     The 

t  that  five  large 
'  straightness  and 
already  described 
)re  than  a  slight 
;r  would  probably 

irobably  six  miles 
t  that  is  likely  to 


h 


44 


CANADA'S    C.RHAT    (iOl  D    KIEI.D. 


Six  miles  below  this,  as  already  noticed.  ^^^J^^^^l^^'^^  ,ZL^. 
^^.^l.  Slr^nol  ^ira^rwa?  ^t^^-  ^  ^^  ^^  ^ ^'^  -'  '- 

Lulians  seen  on  the  nver  between  1  esl.n  PI^^  j^  ^^^^  l/^J,,,  ,,,^  \,rc,i  and  m..st 
in  catchin^r  salmon  at  he  mouth  of  ^he  ^^^^  "' "^'^  j^  j,  needless  to  say  that  none 
unintelligent  Inchans  '^  ^^f'^ --j;;'-^';  "^J^^^  '^^  '  hey  conU  not  speak  a  word  of  any 
of  our  P^uty  understood  ^"  >!  '' «  ^'^"J.,;r;,^et  so^  information  from  them  about 
language  but  the.r  o^v"-.  .  J^"' >;>  f^i'^'/"  f-^tried  in  the  same  way  to  learn  if  there 
the  stream  they  were  fishu  g  »\  ^"  ,'^'''^^^-  ^  '  ;„  'nerly  failed.  I  then  tried  by  signs 
were  any  more  Indians  m  the  vie  nity.  •3"'/g^"\"-f,X  ^iver  hut  althouLdi  1  ha'-e 

from  them  we  had  to  put  our  fears  -^'^ -f  P^^f  .'^  ^l^  ^^t  and  a  half  miles,  no 
Rptween  Five  ringer  Kapicls  anu  leny  xvivci.  mi-j      «,  „»;„„  ^r  ,i,„  T.,t 

streams  ora"yi>"Portance  entir  the  Lewes  ;  in  fact,  with  the  exception  of  the  Tat 

shun   it  may  be  said  f '^f  "°"if  ^'^'"Ji^^'/t'/Viver  spreads  out  into  a  lake-like  expanse, 

to  ftlly  River,    Abo„t  «»«= J™'-  ^^°-Jf^  J.^"^  ^'^/^  ^'ues  ,s  nearly  a  mile 
expanse  fllled  with  .slands      The  "'f  ,1^^'=  ,;'^,'j,'''[h"    it  is  impossible  to  tell  when 

SlnfjImon-ITher:,^^  '  V'^  ^f  TS  e^^ heT f  ci^ ^iel'p 

r:"f,  ?»  ^^rEralt^iir^rvi/ifthl-p  "  o'  .he-^ve7ca„  be  found.    Schwat.a 

-"-iVIlie  Sa-oVtrpJilyrtLl:^  if  abon.  hal,  a  mile  wile,  and  here  too 

there  are  many  islands,  but  not  in  e-'JI^.^he  ru'IST  Fo'^Se  kirk,  the  Yukon  was 

IS  t'^n^"^r^S"S  ."htlu!re;t"See'i'\':nd  the^sonth  shore  was 
"""^pJifv  River  at  its  mouth  is  about  two  hundred  yards  wide,  and  continues  this 

^°''fns;'here'?or^r'sh"?rrdistance  the  course  of  the  Yukon  is  nearly  west,  and  on 
theslSlS,^aboySle\elowthemc.^o^ 

2:ta!;Hsred^;tob^rrCam;beMor^^^^^  the  st;^mer  of 

fsfs      It  was\rst  built  on  the  point  of  land  between  the  two  rivers,  but  this  loca- 
S  provi.rumenab  e  on  accotmt  of  flooding  by  ice  jams  in  the  spring,  .t  was    n 
ihe  sSn  of  1852,  moved  across  the  river  to  where  the  ruins  now  f  jf^^^^  ^J^P^,^ 
that  the  houses  composing  the  post  were  not  fin'«hed  when  the  Indians  trom 


*  Knocked  down  by  the  Indians  in  1894. 


THE   YUKON    DISTRICT. 


45 


ed.  They  are 
ig  oljslructed. 
nooth  and  the 

from  the  east. 
or  40  feet  wide 
I  met  the  only 
>'  were  engaged 
arcst  and  most 
:o  say  that  none 
a  word  of  any 
•om  them  about 
to  learn  if  there 
:n  tried  by  signs 
Ithough  1  ha'-e 
lartof  the  terri- 
presence ;  and, 
bie  between  the 
0  learn  nothing 

a  half  miles,  no 
tion  of  the  Tat- 

ike-like  expanse, 
ntracts  to  some- 
srous  all  the  way 
nother  lake-like 
3  is  nearly  a  mile 
iible  to  tell  when 
ent,  too,  is  swift, 
a  channel  deep 
ound.    Schwatka 

de,  and  here  too 

c,  the  Yukon  was 
jp,  with  a  current 
r  third  was  more 
'south  shore  was 

nd  continues  this 
d  examination  of 
ikon  District  and 

;arly  west,  and  on 
all  that  remains 
*  This  post  was 
in  the  summer  of 
ers,  but  this  loca- 
;  spring,  it  was,  in 
stand.  It  appears 
Indians  from  the 
a  stop  to  the  com- 
:h  they  found  to 
lears  to  have  been 
i  it  convenient  to 


|i 


^1 
p. 


46 


CANADA'S    (IRKAP    COLD    MKI-D. 


Hi 


i 
I 


roiuHMiiciit  i(.  pay  for  at  tlieir  own  price 


takf  by  force  they  look,  and  what  il  wa 

tliev  paid  for.  ..        •.       f    i.-,>ri   ^..IL-irL-  wis  made   in   1840,  nnder 

s|icaks  of    is  .ipiitarantt  ^^"^;'  ,  ,  .  "splendid  river    n  the  distance.       In 

V"'^';trr<£;«ndSu      1'      'S     ;"o;;nn:irwith  the  larger  stream    which 
Jmie,  1S43,  ^/"^  \\'-^^*''""'?/  „  '  ^  I,,  f,,,,,,,.  ,„anv  families  of  the   native   "ndians  — 

bals,  who  would  assuredly  kdl  and  eat  them.      ^  ^.  J  J;"       ,     ,1    ,3    n^g  Indians, 
^"'"wkh  reference  to  the  tales  told  him  by  the  Indians  of  bad  people  outside  of 

power  and  cruelty  intercourse  that  there  has  been  between   them  and 

the  river. 


.idson 


^ 


;lieir  own  price 


llIK    VI  KoN    IH>I'RHI' 


47 


in  1840,  uiulfr 
oil's  Hay  Com- 
sof  the  Pelly. 
l)le  size,  for  he 
le  name  given 

distance."     In 

stream,  whicii 
tive  Indians  — 
n,  as  best  they 
L;nt  of  tlie  river, 

f  fierce  canni- 
t;n  tiiat  he  hatl 
by  tile  Indians, 
)le  opportunity. 

alonij  believed, 
ing  the  river  to 
iblished  by  Mr. 
lamed  the  river 
nction  with  the 
\  a  map  of  tliat 
:  Hudson's  Hay 

leople  outside  of 
story  of  the  In- 

1789.  He  had 
vas  radically  the 
ts  are  more  ex- 
manifesteil,  first, 
were  established 

the  direction  he 
iig  the  existence 
few  miles  below 

far  to  the  west 
monsters  in  size, 

tween  them  and 
rks  in  the  minds 
be  an  origin  for 
ig  so  limited. 
:*  by  the  Hudson 
Drdered  by  Capt. 
nent,  to  evacuate 
le  141st  meridian, 
fter  the  receipt  of 
to  be  on  Britisli 

compete  with   the 

the  district, t  and 

itempt  to  d<j   any 

nding  the  distance 

ortation    ami   'rrading 
lure  owned  l)y  Harper, 

uling  Company,  better 
a  numl)er  of  posts  on 


48 


CANADA'S   (IRKAT    COM)    I  IKM). 


I 


their  clothing  in  tlie  ^f^^^^  j  .  Weld's  House  "  is  shown  on  or  near 

On  many  '"^M^y'f  Alaska  a  l  act  "  ^  ^^^^^^  ,,f  ^^„  ,,,,,„„  i  thought  Ikcly 

the  upper  waters  of  Stewart  Rivci.  "'^f.,^"  ,  '       -j^.j^  .^„y  information  sliowin- 

to  know  anything  concernmg  th-s^M^s  ,  but  fa.^l^      U^^  ^^^^^^  ^^^^^  .^^  ^,^^, 

that  there  ever  ha.l  been  such  a  place  ^  ^  "1"'^^  .^  j  ^f^^r  whom  I  thoujiht,. 
Company's  service  with   Mr.   Campbell  '-^^ /' "    ,^,*^'^'' '^;; ^n^ 

poss'bly:  the  place  h..d  been  ^^^l  -^ '^ '  ,  ;\  '^Sy  diS-  fmm  For/ Selkirk, 
th.-  there  was  a  small  lake  at  s,  d  st  .  I^;  ^^i^^l^V'^^^^ie  at  that  point  for  the 
t::::J^:^'  ^Zfr^^.  .IJ^J^  there,  but  it  was  never  regarded 

'''  ^  Si^^Jt^Selkirk,  the  Yuko.  .^..  ^  om  five  ^^^^^^^^^y^X  'nuS 
and  maintains  this  width  down  to  Wh  tc  '^'^'^^'^"^^''rtso  the  river  where 
Islands  are  numerous,  so  much  «."that  there  a^e  very  few ^m^^^^^^^^ 

there  are  not  one  or  more  m  sight.     ^ '''"y  °  ^    f^^ -^j  ^^t^^lmo  t  a^^^ 

:^^  ^^  limits  i^u^:n.:;rto  c::^^:;n;  't^^^-::^^:j:^ 
::iSsS;h^of:S"rs:s^;s^ 

as  far  as  the  site  of  Fort  Reliance  is  due  north  .^  ,^^^^^^ 

the  main  volume  of  water  benig  confined  to  a  channel  not  more  tnano 

Its  general  course,  as  sketched  by  h.m  «"  ^^'"''^P  «  .  "^.'""''Xtv-five  Ss,  whe.i  it 
thirty  miles  a  little  north-west,  thence  south-west  t  "rty  or  ^^^'V^^  ridge  If  the 
deflects  to  the  north-we.t  runmng  along  the  ^^^^J^^^^^^^  "^  f^^^iTof  T^  River  ; 

courses  given  are  correct  .t  --{^--^S  :   I   t  e  vlm'e'tf  Us  discharge,  when 

2o^;L3;^i:rk^rLn^^f^|^^^ 

Harper  mentioned  an  extensive  flat  south  of  the  T^^f^^^^^^'he  bought  must  be 
which  nmny  high  mountain  peaks  could  be  e^^^^^^^  bu  as  Mo'int  St.  Elias  is  about 
Mount  St.  Rlias,  as  it  overtopped  all  the  others     but    as  ^^o^"J^       ^,        p.,^„^   ^,;^ 

British  Columbia."  , 


trip  every  two 
clotliinjj  and 
;h  l)etter  tli.ui 
at  I  saw  wild 
jrooil."  Tliey 
and  speak  <>f 

iwn  on  or  near 
tliouj^dit  Ikcly 
alion  sho\vin.;( 
k'lio  was  in  the 
loni  I  thonj^'lit 
such  post,  but 
II  Kort  Selivirk, 
it  point  for  the 
never  regarded 

I  yards  broad, 
nety-six  miles, 
the  river  where 
Liable  size,  and 
1  are  coniposetl 
md-bars.  The 
river,  averag- 
.Iways  found  to 

:neral  course  of 
jreneral  course 

louth  it  is  about 
fting  sand-bars, 
m  one  hundred 
eight  miles  per 
le  muddiest  that 

this  river  with 
;ribes  it  as  pos- 

along  its  banks, 
istance  of  about 
e  miles,  when  it 
n  ridge.  If  the 
'ortymile  River  ; 

discharge,  when 
e  territory.  Mr. 
;poken  of,  across 
thought  must  be 
;.  Elias  is  about 
lable.  From  his 
rht  of  the  highest 
'be  ten  or  twelve 
;r  was  very  swift, 
this  river,  though 
rater  of  the  latter 

ts  would  indicate  ;  no 

ash   appears  to  cover 

Very  full  treatment 

Northern  portion  of 


IHK    YUKON    DISTRItr. 


49 


5° 


CANADA'S    CKKAI    C.nl.I)    KIKII) 


M 


completely  ;  and  a  coiiplf  of  milrs  Ixluw  tlir  junction  tlic  wlinlc  river  apjiears  almost 
as  dirty  as  White  Rivei. 

lietwcen  White  and  Stewart  Rivers,  ten  miles,  the  river  spreads  out  to  ;i  mile 
and  n|i\\ards  in  width,  and  is  a  maze  of  islands  and  bars.  The  survey  was  carried 
down  the  easterly  shore,  and  many  of  the  channels  passed  through  barely  afforded 
water  enough  to  float  the  canoes.  The  main  channel  is  alony  the  w-.'sterly  shore, 
down  which  tin   lar^^e  boat  went,  and  the  crew  rejiorted  plenty  of  water. 

Stewart  River  enters  from  the  east  in  the  middle  of  a  wide  valley,  with  low 
hills  on  both  sides,  risinj^  on  the  north  side  in  steps  or  terraces  to  distant  hills  of 
considerable  heijjht.  The  river  halt  a  mile  or  so  above  the  mouth  is  two  lunuired 
yards  in  width.  The  current  is  slack  and  the  water  shallow  and  clear,  but  ilar!, 
coloured. 

While  at  the  mouth  I  was  fortunate  enough  to  meet  a  miner  who  had  spent  the 
whole  of  the  summer  of  1887  on  the  river  and  its  iiranches  prospecting  and  e.vplor- 
iny;.  He  gave  me  a  good  deal  of  information  of  which  I  give  a  summary.  He  is  a 
native  of  New  Brunswick,  Alexander  McDonald  !);•  .ame,  and  has  spent  some  years 
mining  in  other  places,  but  was  very  reticent  about  what  he  had  made  or  found. 
I'lfty  ()!■  sixty  miles  up  the  Stewart  a  large  creek  enters  from  the  south  which  he 
<:alled  Rosebud  Crei  k,  and  thirty  or  forty  miles  further  up  a  considerable  stream 
flows  from  the  north-east,  which  appears  to  be  Heaver  River,  as  marked  on  the  maps 
of  that  part  of  the  country.  From  the  head  of  this  stream  he  floated  ilown  on  a  raft, 
taking  five  days  to  do  so.  He  estimated  his  progress  at  forty  or  fifty  miles  each 
day,  which  gives  a  length  o'  from  two  hundred  to  two  hundred  and  fifty  miles.  This 
IS  probably,  an  over  estimate,  unles.s  the  stream  is  very  crooked,  which,  he  stated, 
was  not  the  case.  As  much  of  his  time  would  be  taken  up  in  prospecting,  1  should 
call  thirty  miles  or  less  a  closer  estimate  of  his  progress.  'I'his  river  is  from  fifty  to 
eighty  yards  wide,  and  was  nevermore  than  four  or  five  feet  deep,  often  being  not 
more  th.m  two  or  three  ;  the  current,  he  said,  was  not  at  all  swift.  Above  the  month 
of  this  stream  the  main  river  is  from  one  hundred  to  one  hundred  and  tliirtv  yards 
wide,  with  an  even  current  and  clear  water  Sixty  or  seventy  miles  above  the  last 
mentioned  branch  another  large  branch  joins,  which  is  possibly  the  main  river.  At 
the  heail  of  it  he  found  a  lake  nearly  thirty  miles  long,  and  averaging  a  mile  and  a 
half  in  width,  which  he  calle.i  Alayo  Lake,  after  one  of  the  partners  in  the  firm  of 
Harper,  .McQuesten  iV  Co.  He  explored  the  lake  and  the  head  of  the  river,  but  did 
not  .see  the  river  again  until  he  reached  the  lower  |)art  near  its  mouth. 

Thirty  miles  or  so  above  the  forks  on  the  other  branch  there  are  falls,  which 
McDonald  estimated  to  be  between  one  and  two  hundred  feet  in  height.  I  met  sev- 
eral parties  who  had  seen  these  falls,  and  they  corroborate  this  estimate  of  their/ 
height.  .McDonald  went  on  past  the  falls  to  the  head  of  this  branch  and  found  ter- 
raced gravel  hills  to  the  west  and  north  ;  he  crossed  them  to  the  north  and  found  a 
river  flowing  northwaril.  On  this  he  embarked  on  a  raft  and  floated  down  it  for  a 
day  or  two,  thinking  it  would  turn  to  the  west  and  join  the  Stewart,  but  finding  it 
still  continuing  north,  and  acquiring  too  much  volume  to  be  any  of  the  branches 
he  had  seen  while  passing  up  the  Stewart,  he  retiirned  to  the  point  of  his  departure, 
and  after  prosi)ecting  among  the  hills  around  the  head  of  the  river,  he  started 
westward,  crossing  a  high  range  of  mountaini  composed  principally  of  shales 
with  many  thin  seams  of  what  he  called  (juartz,  ranging  from  one  to  six  inches  in 
thickness. 

On  the  west  side  of  this  range  he  found  a  river  flowing  out  of  what  he  called 
Mayo  Lake,  and  crossing  this  got  to  the  head  of  Heaver  River,  which  he  descended 
as  before  mentioned. 

It  is  probable  the  river  flowing  northwards,  on  which  he  made  a  journey  and 
returned,  was  a  branch  of  Peel  River.  He  described  the  timber  01  the  gravel  ter- 
races of  the  watershetl  as  small  and  open.  He  was  alone  in  this  unknown  wilder- 
ness all  simimer,  not  seeing  even  any  of  the  natives.  There  are  few  men  so  consti- 
tuted as  to  be  capable  of  isolating  themselves  in  such  a  manner.  Judging  from  all  I 
could  learn  it  is  probable  a  light  draught  steamboat  could  navigate  nearly  all  of 
Stewart  River  and  its  tributaries. 


rHK    YlKoN    DISIRU'T. 


s» 


uppcars  almost 

,  out  to  a  mile 
•i-y  was  carried 
)ari-ly  artonlfd 
W'.-slerly  shore, 
er. 

alley,  with  low 

distant  hills  of 

is  two  Ininilred 

clear,  but  dar!. 

n  had  spent  the 
iiijj  and  exiilor- 
iinary.     He  is  a 
pent  some  years 
made  or  found, 
south  which  he 
iderable  stream 
;ed  on  the  maps 
tlown  on  a  rait, 
fifty  miles  each 
fifty  miles.    This 
vhich.  he  stateii, 
)e(tinv;,  1  should 
er  is  from  fifty  to 
often  beiuK  not 
\bove  the  mouth 
ami  thirtv  yards 
es  above  the  last 
e  main  river.     At 
ing  a  mile  and  a 
ers  in  the  firm  of 
the  river,  but  did 
ith. 

re  are  falls,  which 
sight.     1  met  sev- 
estimate  of  their/ 
ch  and  found  ter- 
north  and  found  a 
ted  down  it  for  a 
vart,  but  findini!;  it 
y  of  the  branches 
t  of  his  departure, 
;  river,  he  started 
icipally   of    shales 
ne  to  six  inches  in 

t  of  what  he  called 
hich  he  descended 

lade  a  journey  and 
oi  the  gravel  ter- 
is  unknown  wilder- 
few  men  so  consti- 
ludging  from  all  1 
•igate  nearly  all  of 


5» 


CANADA'S   CKKAT   (;()l,l)    IIKI-h. 


From  Stfwarl  River  to  tin;  site  of  Fort  RKliaiut*,*  seventy-thrco  anil  a  qiiartpr 
milfs.  the  Viiknii  is  hroml  and  full  <>f  islands.  'I'hc  averayo  width  is  ht'twri-ii  a  li.df 
and  tlirif  (|iiartfrs  (if  a  nii'r,  but  tlu-rc  artr  many  expansions  where  ii  is  nvt-r  a  mile 
in  breadth  ;  however,  in  these  places  it  cannot  be  said  that  the  walerw.iy  is  wider 
than  at  other  parts  of  the  river,  the  islands  beinjj  so  larj^e  and  nmuerous.  In  thus 
rcaeh  no  streams  of  any  importance  enter. 

Abont  thirteen  miles  below  Stewart  River  a  lar^je  valley  joins  that  of  the  river, 
but  the  stream  oec  iipyiii),'  it  is  only  a  larjje  creek.  This  a^jrees  in  position  with  what 
has  been  called  Si.xtymile  River,  which  was  supposed  to  be  ab  )iit  that  distance  above 
Fort  Reliance,  but  it  does  not  ajjrcc  with  descriptions  which  1  received  of  it  ;  more- 
over, as  Sixtymile  River  is  known  to  be  a  .Ureain  of  considerable  length,  this  creek 
would  not  answer  its  description. 

Twenty-two  and  a  half  miles  from  Stewart  River  another  and  larger  creek 
e  Iters  from  the  same  side  ;  it  aj^rees  with  the  descriptions  of  Si.vtymile  River,  and  I 
h.ive  HO  marked  it  on  my  map.  This  stream  is  of  no  importance,  except  for  what 
mineral  wealth  may  be  foniul  on  it.f 

Six  and  a  half  miles  above  Fort  Reliance  ti  e  Klondike^  River  of  the  Indians 
(Deer  River  of  Schwatka)  enters  from  the  east.  It  is  a  small  river  about  one 
hundred  yards  wiile  at  tlie  mouth,  and  shallow  ;  the  water  is  clear  and  traiis|)arent, 
and  of  beautiful  blue  colour.  The  Indians  catch  numbers  of  salmon  here.  They 
had  been  lishiiiK  shortly  before  my  arrival,  and  the  river,  for  some  distance  up,  was 
full  of  .salmon  tra|)s. 

,V  miner  had  prospected  up  this  river  for  an  estimated  distance  of  forty  miles,  in 
the  season  of  1S.S7.  1  did  not  see  him,  but  got  some  of  his  information  at  second 
hand.  The  water  beinj;  so  beautifully  clear  I  thou)rht  it  must  come  through  a  large 
lake  not  far  up  ;  but  as  far  as  he  luul  gone  no  lakes  were  .seen.  He  said  the  current 
was  comparatively  slack,  with  an  occasional  '"ripple"  or  small  rapid.  Where  he 
turned  back  the  river  is  surrouniled  by  high  mountains,  which  were  then  covered  with 
snow,  which  accounts  for  the  purity  and  clearness  of  the  water. 

It  appears  that  the  Indians  go  up  this  stream  a  long  distance  to  hunt,  but  I  (ould 
learn  nothing  definite  i.s  to  their  statements  concerning  it. 

Twelve  and  a  half  miles  below  Fort  Reliance,  the  Chandindu  River,  as  named 
by  Schwatka,  enters  from  the  east.  It  is  thirty  to  forty  yards  wide  at  the  mouth, 
very  shallow,  and  for  half  a  mile  up  is  one  continuous  rapid.  Its  valley  is  wide  and 
can  be  seen  for  a  long  distance  looking  north-eastward  from  the  mouth. 

Between  Fort  Reliance  and  F'ortymile  River  (called  Cone  Hill  River  by 
Schwatka)  the  Yukon  assumes  its  normal  appearance,  having  fewer  islands  and 
being  narrower,  averaging  four  to  six  hundred  yards  wide,  and  the  current  being 
more  regular.  This  stretch  is  forty-six  miles  long,  but  was  estimated  by  the  traders 
at  forty,  from  which  the  Fortymile  River  took  its  name. 


*  Thi.s  was  at  one  time  a  trading  post  occupied  hy  Messrs.  Harper  &  McQucsten. 

+  Sixtymile  River  is  about  one  hundred  miles  long,  very  cronked,  with  a  swift  current  and  many 
rapids,  and  is  therefore  not  easy  to  ascend. 

Miller,  Glacier,  (lold.  Little  Gold  and  Hedrock  Creeks  are  all  tributaries  of  Sixtymile.  Some  of 
the  richest  discoveries  in  gold  so  far  made  in  the  interior  since  1^94  have  been  upon  these  creeks; 
especially  has  this  been  the  case  upon  the  two  tirst  mentioned. 

Freight  for  the  mines  is  taken  up  Fortymile  Kiver  in  summer  for  a  distance  of  26  miles,  then  port- 
aged across  to  the  heads  of  Miller  and  Glacier  Creeks.     In  the  winter  it  is  hauled  in  by  dogs. 

The  trip  from  C\idahy  or  Fortymile  to  the  post  at  the  mouth  of  Sixtymile  River  is  made  by  ascend- 
ing Fortymile  River  some  distance,  making  a  short  portage  to  Sixtymile  River  and  running  down  with 
its  swift  current.     Coming  back  on  the  Yukon,  nearly  the  whole  of  the  round  trip  is  made  down  stream. 

Indian  Creek  enters  the  Yukon  from  the  east  about  17  miles  below  Sixtymile.  It  is  reported  to  be 
rich  in  gold,  but  owing  to  the  scarcity  of  supplies  its  development  has  been  retarded. 

Messrs.  Harper  &  Co.  have  a  trading  post  and  a  saw-mill  on  an  island  at  the  mouth  of  the  creek, 
both  of  which  are  in  charge  of  Mr.  J.  Ladue,  one  of  the  partners  of  the  firm,  and  who  was  at  one  time 
in  the  employ  of  the  Alaska  Commercial  Company. 

t  Dawson  City  is  situated  at  the  mouth  of  the  Klondike,  and  although  it  was  located  only  a  few 
months  ago  it  is  the  scene  of  great  activity.  Very  rich  deposits  of  gold  have  been  lately  found  on 
Bonanza   Jreek  and  other  affluents  of  the  Klondike. 


I 


;inil  .1  quarter 
)c't\v«'t'U  a  lialf 

IS  nvtT  a  mile 
irway  is  wuItT 

•rniis.      In   tliiH 

It  of  tlie  rivt-r, 
tioii  will)  what 
(listaiue  al)ovc 
(1  of  it  ;  iiiorf- 
\^l\\,  this  crcfk 

tl  hir^jer  creek 
It'  River,  iiiul  I 
•xeepl  for  what 

•  of  the  Iiuliaiis 
iver  about  one 
11(1  transparent, 
on  here,  'i'iiey 
islance  np,  was 

if  forty  miles,  in 
atioii  at  seeoiul 
through  a  large 
said  the  current 
pid.  Where  he 
len  covered  with 

hunt,  hut  I  ( ould 

River,  as  named 
le  at  the  mouth, 
alley  is  wide  and 
uth. 

I  Hill  River  by 
;wer  islands  and 
lie  current  being 
3d  by  the  traders 


ift  current  and  many 

Sixtymilc.     Some  of 
I  upon  these  creeks  ; 

f  26  miles,  then  port- 
n  by  dogs. 

er  is  made  by  ascend- 
id  running  down  with 
is  made  down  stream. 
It  is  reported  to  l)e 
i. 

:  mouth  of  the  creek, 
who  was  at  one  time 


as  located  only  a  few 
been   lately  found  on 


THK    YUKON    DISIRICT 


Si 


Junction  of  the  Lewis  and  Teslin  Kivers, 


/•>.!///  /'//,./,'.  Ar  ir.  (i^'ilvu: 


Fortymile  River*  joins  the  main  river  from  the  west.  Its  general  course  as  far 
up  as  the  International  Boundary,  a  ilistaiice  of  twenty-three  mile.s,  is  south-west  ; 
after  this  it  is  reported  by  the  miners  to  run  nearer  south.  Many  of  them  claim  to 
have  ascended  this  stream  for  more  than  one  hundred  miles,  and  speak  of  it  there  as 
(|uite  a  large  river.  'I'hey  say  that  at  that  ilistance  it  has  reached  the  level  of  the 
plateau,  and  the  country  adjoining  it  they  describe  as  Hat  and  swampy,  rising  very 
little  above  the  river.  It  is  only  a  short  distance  across  to  the  Tanana  River  —  a 
large  tributary  of  the  Yukon  —  which  is  here  described  as  an  important  stream. 
However,  only  about  ivvenly-three  miles  of  Fortymile  River  are  in  Canada  ;  and  the 
upper  part  of  it  and  its  relation  to  other  rivers  in  the  district  have  no  direct  interest 
for  us. 

Fortymile  River  is  one  hundred  to  one  hundred  and  fifty  yards  wide  at  the 
mouth,  and  the  current  is  generally  strong,  with  many  small  rapids.  Eight  miles  up 
is  the  .so-called  cafton  ;  it  is  hardly  entitleil  to  that  distinctive  name,  being  simply  a 
crooked  contraction  of  the  river,  with  steep  rocky  banks,  and  on  the  north  side  there 
is  plenty  of  room  to  walk  along  the  beach.  At  the  lower  end  of  the  cafion  there  is 
a  short  turn  and  swift  water  in  which  are  some  large  rocks  ;  these  cannot  generally 
be  seen,  and  there  is  much  danger  of  striking  them  running  down  in  a  boat.  At  this 
point  several  miners  have  been  drowned  by  their  boats  being  upset  in  collision  with 
these  rocks.     It  is  no  preat  distance  to  either  shore,  and  one  would  think  an  ordi- 


•  Fortymile  townsite  is  sifiiated  on  the  south  side  of  the  Fortymile  River  at  its  junction  with  the 
Yukon.  The  Alaska  Commercial  Company  has  a  station  here  which  was  for  some  years  in  charge  of 
L.  N.  McQuesten  ;  there  are  also  cveral  blacksmith  shops,  restaurants,  billiard  halls,  bakeries,  an  opera 
house,  and  so  on.  Rather  more  than  half  a  mile  below  Fortymile  townsite  the  town  of  Cudahy  was 
founded  on  the  north  side  of  F'ortymile  River  in  the  summer  of  1892.  It  is  named  after  a  well-known 
member  of  the  North  American  Transportation  and  Trading  Company.  In  population  and  extent  of 
business  the  town  bears  comparison  with  its  neighbour  across  the  river.  The  opposition  in  trade  a  s 
been  the  means  of  very  materially  reducing  the  cost  of  supplies  and  living.  The  North  American  Trans- 
portation and  Trading  Comp?riy  has  erected  a  saw-mill  and  some  large  warehouses.  Fort  Copsta.iline 
was  established  here  im.<!edL'~'y  upon  the  arrival  of  the  Mounted  Police  detachment  in  the  la'.'.ei  part 
of  July,  1S95. 


$. 


54 


CAXAliA'S    GRHAI'    COLD    MKI.D. 


f 


'it: 


* 


I 


ft; 


I 


nary  swimmc  would  liave  no  difficulty  in  reaoliiiifj:  land  ;  but  the  coldness  of  the 
water  soon  benumbs  a  man  comiiletely  and  renders  him  powerless.  In  the  summer 
of  1887,  an  Indian,  from  'I'anana,  with  his  family,  was  cominij  down  to  trade  at  the 
post  at  tiie  mouth  of  I-'ortymile  River  ;  his  canoe  struck  on  these  rocks  and 
upset,  and  he  was  thrown  clear  of  the  canoe,  but  the  woman  and  children  clung 
to  it.  In  the  rough  water  he  lost  sight  of  them,  and  concluded  that  they  were  lost  ; 
it  is  .said  he  deliberately  drew  his  knife  and  cut  his  throat,  thus  perisliiug,  while 
his  family  were  hauled  ashore  by  some  miners.  The  chief  of  the  band  to  which  this 
Indian  belonged  came  to  the  post  and  demanded  ;)ay  for  his  loss,  which  he  contended 
was  occasioned  by  the  traders  having  moved  from  Belle  Isle  to  Fortymile,  thus  caus- 
ing them  to  descend  this  dangerous  rapid,  and  there  is  little  doubt  that  had  there 
not  been  so  many  white  men  in  the  vicinity  he  would  have  tried  to  enforce  his 
demand. 

The  1'?.igtn  of  the  so-called  cafion  is  about  a  mile.  Above  it  the  river  up  to  the 
boundary  is  generally  smooth,  with  swift  current  and  an  occasional  ripple.  The 
amount  of  water  discharged  by  tliis  stream  is  considerable  ;  but  there  is  no  prcspect 
of  navigation,  it  being  so  swift  and  broken  by  small  rapids. 

From  Fortymile  River  to  the  boundary  the  Yukon  preserves  the  same  general 
character  as  between  Fort  Reliance  and  Fortymi'e,  the  greatest  width  being  about 
half  a  mile  and  the  least  about  a  quarter. 

Fifteen  miles  below  Fortymile  River  a  large  mass  of  rock  stands  on  the  east 
bank.  This  was  named  by  Schwatka  "  Roquette  Rock,"  but  is  known  to  the  traders 
as  Old  Woman  Rock  ;  a  similar  mass,  on  the  west  side  of  the  river,  being  known  as 
Old  Man  Rock. 

The  origin  of  these  names  is  an  Indian  legend,  of  which  the  following  is  the 
version  given  to  me  by  the  traders  : — 

In  remote  ages  there  lived  a  powerful  shaman,  pronounced  Tshaumen  by  the 
Indians,  this  being  the  local  name  for  v>'hat  is  known  as  medicine  man  among  the 
Indians  farther  south  and  east.  The  Tshaumen  holds  a  position  and  exercises  an 
influence  among  the  people  he  lives  with,  something  akin  to  the  wise  men  or  magi 
of  olden  times  in  the  East.  In  this  powerful  being's  locality  there  lived  a  poor 
man  who  had  the  great  misfortune  to  have  an  inveterate  scold  for  a  wife.  He  bore 
the  infliction  for  a  long  time  without  murmuring,  in  hopes  that  she  would  relent, 
but  time  seemed  only  to  increase  the  affliction  ;  at  'ength,  growing  weary  of  the 
unceasing  torment,  he  complained  to  the  Tshaumen,  who  comforted  him,  and  sent 
him  home  with  the  assurance  that  all  would  soon  be  well. 

Shortly  after  this  he  went  out  to  hunt,  and  remained  away  for  many  days  en- 
deavouring to  get  some  provisions  for  home  use,  but  without  avail ;  he  returned 
weary  and  hungry,  only  to  be  met  by  his  wife  with  a  more  than  usually  violent  out- 
burst of  scolding.  This  so  provoked  him  that  he  gathered  all  his  strength  and 
energy  for  one  grand  effort  and  gave  her  a  kick  that  sent  her  clean  across  the  river. 
On  landing  she  was  converted  into  the  mass  of  rock  which  remains  to  this  day  a 
memorial  of  her  viciousness  and  a  warning  to  all  future  scolds.  The  metamorpho- 
sis was  effected  by  the  Tshaumen,  but  how  the  necessary  force  was  acquired  to 
send  her  across  ilie  river  (here  about  half  a  mile  wide),  or  whether  the  kick  was 
adminrtered  by  the  Tshaumen  or  the  husband,  my  narrator  could  not  say.  He  was 
altogether  at  a  loss  to  account  for  conversion  of  the  husband  into  the  mass  of  ruck 
on  the  west  side  of  the  river ;  nor  can  J  offer  any  theory  unless  it  is  that  he  was 
petrified  by  astonishment  at  the  result. 

Such  legends  as  this  would  be  of  interest  to  ethnologists  if  they  could  be  pro- 
cured direct  from  the  Indians,  but  repeated  by  men  who  have  little  or  no  knowledge 
of  the  utility  of  legendary  lore,  and  less  sympathy  with  it,  they  lose  much  of  their 
value. 

Between  Fortymile  River  and  the  boundary  line  no  stream  of  any  size  joins 
the  Yukon  ;  in  fact,  there  is  only  one  stream,  which  some  of  the  miners  have 
named  Sheep  Creek  ;  but  as  there  is  another  streanr  further  down  the  river,  called 
by  the  same  name,  I  have  named  it  Coal  Creek.  It  is  five  miles  below  Forty- 
mile,  and  comes  in  from  the  east,  and  is  a  large  creek,  but  not  at  all  navigable. 


H 


coldness  of  the 
In  the  summer 
ill  to  trade  at  the 
these  rocks  and 
;1  children  chuig 
It  they  were  lost  ; 
perishing,  while 
land  to  which  this 
oil  he  contended 
tymile,  thus  caus- 
)t  that  had  there 
ed  to  enforce  his 

he  river  up  to  the 
onal  ripple.  The 
lere  is  no  prospect 

the  same  general 
width  being  about 

lands  on  the  east 
own  to  the  traders 
r,  being  known  as 

he  following  is  the 

Tshaumen  by  the 

ne  man  among  the 

and  exercises  an 

wise  men  or  magi 

there  lived  a  poor 

)r  a  wife.     He  bore 

she  would  relent, 
wing  weary  of  the 
)rted  him,  and  sent 

for  many  days  en- 
avail ;  he  returned 
jsually  violent  out- 
.11  his  strength  and 
an  across  the  river, 
jmains  to  this  day  a 
The  metamorpho- 
ce  was  acquired  to 
lether  the  kick  was 
d  not  say.  He  was 
3  the  mass  of  rock 
3S  it  is  that  he  was 

they  could  be  pro- 
tie  or  no  knowledge 
lose  much  of  their 

Ti  of  any  size  joins 
of  the  miners  have 
wn  the  river,  called 
miles  below  Forty- 
lot  at  all   navigable. 


THE    YUKON    DISIRICT. 


55 


'y. 


c 


m 


V: 


5" 


CANADA'S   (".RK\T    COLD    I'IKLD. 


extensive  coal   seams  were  seen, 


which  will  be  more  fully  referred 


On  it  some 
further  on. 

.\t  the  bonndarv  the  river  is  somewhat  contracted,  and  measures  only  i  280 
feet  "-uToss  in  the  winter ;  but  in  summer,  at  ordinary  water  level,  it  would  be 
aboui  one  hundred  feet  wider.  Immediately  below  the  boundary  it  expands  to  ts 
us  al  width,  which  is  about  2,000  feet.  The  cross  sectional  area  at  the  boundary, 
measured  ii  December,  1895,  is  21,818  feet.  There  is  a  channel  600  fee  wale, 
not  ess  than  22  feet  deep.and  one  400  feet  wide,  not  less  than  26  feet  deep. 
During  summer  level  thos'e  depths  would  not  be  less  than  4  feet  deeper  and  the 
cross  Sectional  area  27,000.  The  discharge  at  this  first  level  is  ^PP>,«--''"=»  ^  X  f '°°° 
cubic  feet  per  second,  at  summer  level  it  approximates  i3S,o°o  cubic  feet  ,  at  flood 
feveT  i.  approaches   180,000  cubic  feet  or  more,  possibly  reaching,  for  short  times, 

"''°Fo;  tli2  sake  of  comparison,  I  give  the  discharge  of  the  St  Lawrence  and 
Ottawa  Rivers,  being  the  mean  of  the  years  1867101882;  St.  Lawrence,  mean 
000  000  feet ;  Ottawa,  at  Grenville,  mean  85,000  feet.  .  ,     ,     ,,  •       ;,. 

-^       The  current,  from  the  boundary  down  to  the  confl  •    'X  with  the  Porcupine  is 
said  to  be  strong  and  much  the  same  as  that  above  ;  from  the  Porcupine  down  fm" 
a  listance  of  five  or  six  hundred  miles  it  is  called  medium,  and  the  remainder  easy 
o'rthe  22nd  September  a  small  steamboat  named  the  "  New  Racket  "  passed 
mv  cimn  on   her  way  up  to  Fortymile  River  with  supplies  ;   she  was  about   forty 
?Kg  Ti  d  ninJ  m-  ten  feet  beam,  with  about  two  feet  draught.     The  boat  was 
wholly  taken   up  with  engine  and  boiler,  the  berths  for  the  crew  being  over  t  ,e 
e.  g    e   'oom.     The  propelling  power  was  a  stern  wheel,  driven  by  two  engines  of 
h  ree  si7e    or  such  I  s.nall  boat.     It  was  claimed  for  her  by  her  captain,  A   Mayo, 
oflL  firm  of  Harper,  MoQuesten  &  Co.,  that  she  could  mzike  ten  miles  an  hour  in 
"lead  w  tS,     She  was  then  twenty-two  days  out  from  St.  Michael  Island,  near  the 
mouth         he  river.     Mr.  Mayo  claimed  that  this  was  longer  than  usual,  on  account 
t'U  boiler  tubes  being  out  of  order  and  leaking  badly  so  that  it  was  •mpo^^'^l^ 
to  keep  more  than  fifty  pounds  pressure,  while  that  generally  used  was  about  double^ 
l^iat  this  was  true  was  apparent  from  the  fact  that  it  tr ok  her  about  five  hours  to 
make  four  miles  ;  and  at  ine  place  below  my  camp  she  hung  for  over  an  hour  with- 
mft  making  any  progress  at  all,  i.or  could  she  pass  that  point  until  she  stopped  and 
buttled  up  steam.  .„  ■•  *  * 

A(;R1CULTUK.\L  CArAUILlTIES   OF   YUKON   BASIN. 

The  agricultural  capabilities  of  the  country  along  the  river  are  not  great,  nor 
is  the  land  which  can  be  seen  from  the  river  of  good  quality 

When  we  consider  further  the  unsuitable  climatic  conditions  which  preva 
the  region  it  may  be  said  that  as  an  agricultural  district  this  portion  of  the  countrj 

"*"''  Mrmeteoro'logical  records  show  over  eight  degrees  of  frost  on  the  ist  of 
Auirust  over  ten  on  the  3rd,  and  four  times  during  the  month  the  minimum  tem- 
nertture^  freezing.     On  the  13th  September  the  minimum  temperature 

was  16°,  ind  all  thi  minimum  readirgs  for  the  remainder  of  the  month  were  below 

^■"''"^long  the  east  side  of  Lake  Bennett,  opposite  the  Chilkoot,  or  western  arm 
there  arr.ome  flats  of  dry  gravelly  soil,  which  would  make  a  few  farms  of  limited 
S  no  the  west  side  aground  the  mouth  of  Wheaton  River,  there  is  an  exten- 
sive flat  of  sand  and  gravd,  covered  with  small  pine  and  spruce  of  stunted  growth 
The  vegetation  is  poor  and  sparse,  not  at  all  what  one  would  desire  to  see  on  a 
,  lace  upon  which  he  was  thinking  of  settling.  At  the  lower  end  of  the  ake  there 
!s  another  expensive  flat  of  sandy  soil,  thinly  clad  with  small  poplars  a-  d  pines.  1  he 
same  remarks  apply  to   his  flat  as  to  that  at  Wheaton  River. 

Alo^g  the  Veslerly  shore  of  Tagish  Lake  there  is  a  large  extent  of  low  swampy 
flats,  a  part  of  which  might  be  used  for  the  production  of  such  roots  and  ceieals  as 


1\    referred  to 


L's  only   1,280 

it   would  be 

jxjKiiids  to  its 

the  boundary, 

)oo   feet   wide, 

26   feet  deep. 

eeper,  and  the 

mately  96,000 

feet  ;  at  flood 

jr  short  times, 

Lawrence  and 
iwreiice,  mean 

e  Porcupine,  is 

pine  down  for 

emainder  easy. 

Lacket  "  passed 

as  about   forty 

The  boat  was 

being  over  t  le 

two  engines  of 

jtain,  A.  Mayo, 

iles  an  hour  in 

Island,  near  the 

ual,  on  account 

was  impossible 

is  about  double. 

)ut  live  hours  to 

;r  an  hour  with- 

ihe  stopped  and 


e  not  great,  nor 

diich  prevail  in 
of  the  country 

on  the   1st  of 

minimum  tem- 

im  temperature 

nth  were  below 

3r  western  arm, 
arms  of  limited 
ire  is  an  exten- 
stunted  growth, 
iire  to  see  on  a 
the  lake  there 
a'  d  pines.    The 

of  low,  swampy 
and  cereals  as 


a. 


THE    YUKON    DISTRICT. 


57 


^  1    >f: 


n 


I 


58 


CANADA'S   (iREAT   C.Ol.n    FIKM). 


I 


flat  surface  "'^''^, '",,*''„..,.,„      j^i,,,,,,  the  east  side  the  surface  aiipeareci  hiirlier 

Along  the   '\*^^^;!  "\;"'^,,    J^'f,^r   as   surface   conformation   goes,  serve  for  farms. 

S  bea"s   les^the  character  of   detr.tus,  and   more  that   of   alluv.um,   than    that 
''■'"At"we"-innroachthe  cafton  the  banks  become  hife-her  and  the   bottom   lands 

sandy.     At  the  head  of  the  lake  there  is  an  extensive  flat,  partly  ^"'""l^X^^^^^^ 

i.,'r  n  ,u-l,  lirt^e-  and  better  than  any  seen  above  this  point.     Poplar  eight  and  ten 

"''^"nn   the   lower  end  of  the  lake,  on  the  west  side,  there  is  also  a  conside.able 
were  good   and  two  or  three  of  the  plants  seen  are  common  in  this  part  of  Ont.1,0, 

or  tl^s    ejioi       This  vaDev  is  extensive,  and,  if  ever  required  as  an  aid  m     'v  su.- 

iten  steep  and   high.     There  are,  however,  many  '^^^^  „       '  °^f  ^^  '^Jfthe  e  ,1 
the  river  and  at  its  confluence  with  other  streams.      •  .v^  ^<.'l  of  many  ot 

timber,  except  a  small  piece  around  ^^e.  site  of  the  fort  ^^^^^^ 

towards  th 


arrangenicnl,,  won!  1  com] 


rn  that  tne  river    s  i  imuun.  ui  <.i>-<..v-.-.,  "■■  —  ■-  .  , 

uv.:,  i  •  bcnnld  by  a  perpendicular  basalt  cli^,  -h-h   wuhout  ani 

letcly  bar  apuroach  to  the  water.      1  nis  clitt  is  more  iiuui 


is  also  much 
i  grass  \vliii:li 
)eare(l  lii.ulier 
jfriculturalist. 
e  art;  Hats  on 
ve  for  farms. 
)rovecl  by  the 
ipports.  The 
m,   than    that 

bottom   lands 

bank  on  the 

soil  is  light 

is  of  the  same 

river,  there  is 
soil  light  and 
ered  with  tun- 
eight  and  ten 
;n  and  sixteen 
ed.  The  soil, 
or. 

le  lake  on  the 

there  is  some 

etter  than  any 

a  considerable 
one  part  where 
and  vegetation 
urt  of  Ontario, 

here, 
illey,  which  Dr. 
)lar  and  spruce, 
lan  usually  rich 

aid  in      '■_•  sus- 

assets. 

d  the  banks  an^ 
;e  extent  along 
any  of  these  is 

n  extensive  flat 
lall  open  timber, 
ns  of  Fort  Sel- 
)ruce.  The  scjil 
fravel,  evidently 
;red  thickly  with 

is  two  or  three 
g  from  the  thin- 
e  I'elly  for  some 
from  the  river, 
)lumbia,  and  like 
■age  should  such 

t  watered  on  the 
iteau  on  the  side 
without  artificial 
iff  is  more  than 


rilK    VIKON     DISTRICT. 


59 


two  hundred  feet  high  t  the  confluence,  antl  becomes  lower  as  we  descend  tlu;  river, 
until,  at  the  lower  end,  it  is  not  more  than  si.xty  to  eighty  feet  high. 

liclween  I'elly  and  White  Rivers  there  are  no  flats  of  any  extent.  At  White 
River  there  is  a  flat  of  several  thou.sand  acres,  but  it  is  all  timbered,  and  the  surface 
of  the  .soil  is  covered  with  a  thick  growth  of  moss,  which  prevents  the  frost  ever  leav- 
ing the  ground.  'I'his  has  so  preserved  fallen  timber  and  the  foliage  of  the  trees 
that  much  of  it  is  lying  on  the  surface  nt  arly  as  sound  as  when  it  fell.  On  this 
account  the  vegetable  mould  on  the  gravel  is  thin  and  poor.  The  standing  timber 
also  bears  witness  to  the  coldness  o{  the  soil  by  its  slow  and  generally  small  growth. 
A  few  trees  near  the  bank,  where  the  sun  can  heat  the  soil,  are  of  fair  size,  but 
further  back  they  are  generally  small. 

At  Stewart  River  there  is  another  large  flat  to  which  the  same  general  remarks 
are  applicable.  Thence,  to  the  site  of  Fort  Reliance,  there  are  no  flats  of  any  im- 
portance.    High  above  the  river  in  some  places  there  are  extensive  wooded  slojies. 


0;;ilvic"s  IViity  ami  IJoatsat  Mouth  uf  IVlly  Kivcr,  August,  1S87. 


suited    for   such    agricultiu'al    [iiirpt 


which,   when   cleared,  would  be   we 
climate  would  permit. 

At  Fort  Reliance  there  is  a  flat  of  probably  1,500  acres  in  extent  ;  bin 
Messrs.  Harper  i\:  Mc(,)uesttn  lived  there  for  some  years,  it  appears  they 
any  agricultural  ex]ieriment.s,  believing  that  they  would  be  futile. 

At  the  Fortymile  River  there  is  a  flat  of  about  four  or  five  hundred 
on  which  the  soil 


1 


IS  the 

ilthough 
:er  made 


teres  ni  area, 
mentioned. 
ises.     They 


on  which  the  soil  is  of  better  (piality  than  on   many  of  the  other  place     i 
On  this  Messrs.  Harper  i\:  Mc<)uesten  erected  their  dwelling  and  storehouse-,.     .  ..,_^ 
gave  it  as  their  opinion  that  only  very  hardy  roots  would  live  through  the  many  cold 
nights  of  the  summer  months,  and  that  tlie  season  is  so  short  that  even  if  they  sm- 
vived  the  cold  they  would  not  attain  a  size  fit  for  use. 

The  river  is  not  generally  clear  of  ice  until  between  the  15th  of  May  and  the  1st 
of  June,  and  heavy  frosts  occur  early  in  September,  and  stjinetimes  earlier. 


6o 


CANADA'S   GREAT   GOLD    FIELD. 


At  the  boundary  there  are  two  flats  of  several  hundred  acres  eacli.  one  on  the 
west  side  the  other  three  miles  above  it  on  the  east  side.  Hoth  of  these  are  covered 
with  nonlar,  spruce  and  white  birch,  also  some  wdlow  and  small  pnie. 

n  n  akinl  preparations  for  the  foundations  of  our  house  at  our  wmter  quarters 

near    he  boundary  we  had  to  excavate  in  the  bank  of  the  river,  and  m  ati  exposed 

he    -here  the  sun's  ravs  could  read,  the  surface  without  inndrance  from  trees  or 

ier    lade  we  found  the  depth  to  .he  perpetually  fro.en  j^round  to  be  no    more 

1  in  two  feet      In  the  woods  where  the  ground  was  covered  w>th  over  a  foot  of 

ml   hc^f  Sn  ground  is  immediately  below  the  moss.     On  this  the  timber  is  gener- 

"   V  small   and  of  very  slow  growth,  as  is  evident  from  the  number  of  annua    rings 

of  gnrth.     I  have  seen  trees  of  only  three  or  four  inches  in  diameter  wlach  were 

in-iw.irds  of  one  hundred  and  fiftv  vears  old.  ,   ,       , 

'  It  i.s  liif^kult  to  form  an  ekimate  of  the  total  area  of  agr.culti.ra  land  seen, 
but  it  certainly  bears  a  very  small  proportion  to  the  remainder  of  the  country. 
I  think  ten  townships,  or  360  square  miles,  would  be  a  very  liberal  esumate  fo. 
•,n  tliP  tilnres  mentioned  This  gives  us  230,400  acres,  or,  say,  i,oco  taims.  1  ne 
availabletandl  1  'muents  o^f  the  river  would  probably  double  this,  or  give 
tooo  f^i?ms  in  that  part  of  our  territory,  but  on  the  most  ot  these  the  returns  would 

^'^  "w^fhout  the  discovery  and  development  of  large  mineral  wealth  it  is  not  likely 
that  the  slender  agricultnLl  resources' of  the  region  will  ever  attract  attention,  at 
Ipnst  until  the  better  parts  of  our  territories  are  crowded.  ,  .       ,  , 

In  le  eve  t  of  Juch  discovery  some  of  the  land  might  be  used  for  the  produc- 
tion c  f  -etab  e  food  for  the  miners  ;  but,  even  in  that  case,  with  the  transpo  t 
facilities  whfch  the  district  commands,  it  is  very  doubtful  if  it  could  compete  profit- 
ablv  with  the  south  and  east. 

'  My  meteorological  records  for  1895-6  show  as  follows  :— 

August,         1895  — 32°   and  below,     5  times. 
40°  "  9  times. 

September,    189S  — 32°  and  be-jw,   18  times. 
40°  "  29  times. 

May   1896  — Lowest  temperature  5°  ;    3  times,  ist,  2nd  and  3rd. 
32°   and  below,   18  times. 
40°  '  30  times. 

Highest  temperature  62°  ;    twice,  i8th  and  23rd. 

June,  1896  — Lower  t  temperature  28°  ;   twice,  ist  and  2nd. 
32°  and  below,     4  times. 
40°  "  17  times. 

Highest  temperature  80°  ;   on  the  30th. 

July    1896— Lowest  temperature  33°  ;   on  the  27th. 
40°  and  below,  9  times. 
Highes-  temperature  81°  ;   twice,  ist  and  2nd. 

Angus',  t«9'j  —  »  .>wpst' temperature  27^  :'\    on  the  31st. 
3?°  and  below,  twice. 
40  "  '3  times. 

High-'st  te  '  perature  76°  ;    on  the  14th. 

September,  iSv/-     -  i, .-west  temperature  4°  •■;    <?"  t'le  3otli- 
^.^  ■   ;;'d  below,     8  times. 
40'  "  23  times. 

Hit    est  tem  lerature  63^  ;    on  the  17th. 

During  th.  .:ummer  of  1897  at  Dawson,  temperatures  as  high  as  9c°  were  ob- 
served in  the  sh  tde  in  July,  but  this  was  an  exceptionally  dry.  warm  month. 


THE   YUKON    DISTRICT. 


6t 


one  on  the 
;c  are  covered 

nter  quarters 
in  nn  exposed 
from  trees  or 
)e  not  more 
iver  a  foot  of 
nl)er  is  JLjener- 
annual  rings 
r  wl.icli  were 

ral  land  seen, 
tlie  country, 
estimate  for 
farms.  The 
this,  or  give 

returns  would 

it  is  not  likely 
t  attention,  at 

or  the  produc- 

the  transport 

:ompete  profit- 


J-'rom  Photo,  hy  IF.  0_i;ilvie. 
Harper  &  Ladue's  Sawmill  at  Ogilvie,  now  at  Dawson. 


and  3rd. 

1  23rd. 
jnd. 


2nd. 


th. 


as  9c  °  were  ob- 
month. 


On  my  way  down  the  river  in  1895  I  observed  the  temperature  of  the  river 
water  at  various  points  as  follows  : — 

Lake  Bennett, Augu.st  8th,  1895,  49° 

Lake  Marsh "  13th,  "  55° 

Above  Teslin  River,    ...  "  19th,  "  53° 

Teslin  River "  19th,  "  54° 

Big  Salmon "  20th,  "  49° 

Yukon,  just  below,       ...  "  20th,  "  53° 

Felly  River "  22nd,  "  56° 

Yukon,  above  White  River,  "  26th,  "  55°.' 

White  River "  26th,  "  53°.' 

Yukon,  above  Stewart,  "  26th,  "  55° 

Stewart  River "  26th,  "  56° 

Sixtymile  River "  27th,  "  46° 

Klondike  River,       ....  "  28th,  "  49= .» 

Yukon,  at  Reliance,     ...  "  28th,  "  55° 

Fortymile  River,     ....  "  30th,  "  52° 

Yukon  River, "  30th,  "  54° .' 

Yukon,  at  boundary,    .     .   September,  12th,  "  46° 

•'                   "            .     .  "  24th,  "  39^^ 

"                  "            .     .  October,  ist,  "  39° 

«•                  "            .     .  "  1 6th,  "  32° 

The  proximity  of  such  a  large  body  of  water  at  those  temperatures  must  have 
a  beneficial  effect  on  vegetation,  and  consequently  we  will  have  more  success  near 
the   river  than  elsewhere.     An  old  miner  settled  on  Fortymile  River,  above   the 


in 


I 


m 


63 


CANADA'S    (llvKAT    (lOlU    VWAA) 


boundary,  tried  for  several  V-- U,  ra.se  ,>otat..esJu,l^^^  ^^^.^^  ^^_^_.^  ^^^^^^^^^ 


frost,  until   lie  found  a 
This  allowed  the  stalk 


hillside  on  which  the  sun 
to  >,'radually  ^ti  rid  of  the 


was  baulked  every 

lie  iHiiil  about 

frost  aiul  recover  before 


year  l)y 
niidilay. 
the  heat 


"' "  n™i;i:  w- ;'-"'-!'-'■«- "«"'-"-'  -"""">  "■  "'■"■•"""■ '"" '""  "•'  *• 


and  well  flavoured  as  we  would  wish 
In  the  town  of  Kortymile.  close 


•ab- 


bage  and   lettuce  have  been  ^rown 


to  the  Yukon,  potatoes,  radishes,  turnips,  c, 

c.  K.-'""   witii   fair  success,  especially  the    last   named. 

situated,  well  sheltered  s|H)t  at  Cudahy  gave  fair  radi.hes. 

Very  fair  potatoes  were   grown  on  an  island  at  tlie 

the  Yukon,  by   Mr.  Harper.     He  had  also  a  garden  at 


Another  garden  in  a  fairly 
turnips,  cal)bage  and  lettuce. 

Sdkll^'U^lfi^i^'l^'l^eilvl!'^^  ivS'h^^pl^nted -poutoes  for  several  years,  but  to 
Selkirk  (moutn  oi  ine  i      > ;.  ^     ^_^^  ^'^^  of  having  an  immense  awning  made  of 

when  frost  threatened. 


protect  them  from  frost  went  to  the  exi)ens  ,^--., 

heavy  cotton  which  he  loweretl  on  them  every  clear  night 

''"'''S-a  '■'::e^:;'^:i^;"  '  l^^Slor  several  years  but^never  ripened  though 
they ?ieve..,   enough  t"  make  fair  fodder.     Some  wheat  at  Cudahy.  in  ,896.  devel- 

^'•-^~^^^  -  '^  --  '" 

Ontario  or  Quebec. 

TIMBl'K    lOR   USK    IX    HUII.UINU   AND   MANUlACTUKINd. 

^''''  Kurh  Other  nlanks  as  we  wanted  had  to  be  cut  out  of  short  logs,  of  which  some, 
"""These  remark,  apply  to  the  timber  until  »e  reach  the  lower  end  ot  Marsh  Lake 

s„£Ei;;^rtbs^^:Jti/:s,st-.:--"i-^^^ 

"""'kfit'l'aLrS^totolfsi,  and  »cr,d,by  •,  below  it  there  were  a  few  trees 
,ha.t;.:,M    3'plank's  (r„.n  ,  to  .o  ^"^^ ^^XTol'^ll^ZlS:^  0  af " 
;;;;J,^^:i'Se'HoryV:S  rd'=tbe"r':'t:i;a:i:enel  ior'b„ats  which  they 
"'""''rhe^^reit  bulk  of  the  timber  in  the  district  suitable  for  manufacture  into  lum- 

""  '^'he  contluence  with  the  Felly,  on  .he  east  s,de  of  the  ™  f  -  is  a  grove 

si,rs  :=  :s =s  jsr  Jsr'^2  wKiSjiujli^^ 
l!;:;d  .rbe^r'^;:  Sart'  ^^7^^^  ^o"X  ^^,orJ'woi:.;di"r.he  ,..1,, 

river. 


ivery  year  by 
bout  midday. 
L'fnrt'  the  lieat 

ml  not  as  dry 

s,  turnips,  cab- 
last  named, 
e  fair  radi.ihes. 
1  island  at  the 
()  a  j^arden  at 
1  years,  but  to 
wniiijj  made  of 
ust  threatened. 

ijiened,  though 
in  nSgf),  devel- 

si/.e  it  does  in 


ver  is  not  at  all 
ood,  and  timber 

e. 

ly  party  made  a 
ce  Bennett,  and 
tree  was  found 
on  of  our  large 
1  the  top,  and  31 

,  of  which  some, 
It  long  intervals, 
some  of  the  logs 
lade  before  tliat 
y  wooded  with 
;st  and  cleanest- 

1  of  Marsh  Lake. 

2  to  14  inches  in 
heir  number  was 

were  a  few  trees 

en  nearly  all  cut 

Bennett,  lloated 

loats  which  they 

facture  into  lum- 
armer  and  richer, 
:  directly  than  on 

there  is  a  grove 
d  on  the  islands 
d  Stewart  Rivers 
aid  there  is  more 
than  on  the  main 


THK    YUKON    IHSIKICT, 


«3 


Between  Stewart  River  and  the  boundary  there  is  not  so  much  surface  ('(jvercd 
with  large  trees  as  on  many  of  the  tlats  above  it,  the  valley  being  generally  narrower, 
and  the  sides  steeper  than  higher  up  the  river.  TliLs,  of  course,  |)recludes  the  growth 
of  timber. 

To  estimate  the  (juantity  of  limber  in  the  vicinity  of  the  river  in  our  territory 
would  be  an  imjiossible  task,  having  only  such  data  as  I  was  able  to  collect  on  my 
way  down.  I  would,  however,  say  that  one  fourth  of  the  area  I  have  given  as  agri- 
cultural land  woulil  be  a  fair  conjecture.  This  woulil  give  us  two  and  a  half  town- 
shijjs,  or  ninety  scpiare  miles,  of  fairly  well  timbered  ground  ;  but  it  must  be  borne 
in  miiul  that  there  is  not  more  than  a  s(|uare  mile  or  so  of  that  in  any  one  |ilace,  ami 
most  of  the  timber  would  be  small  and  poor  compared  with  the  timber  of  Manitoba 
and  the  easterly  part  of  the  North-west   I'erritories. 

At  the  Boundary  Line  I  required,  as  has  already  been  exjilaineil,  a  tree  22  inches 
in  diameter  at  the  ground  on  which  to  erect  my  transit.  An  exhaustive  search  of 
over  three  square  miles  of  the  woods  there,  though  showing  many  trees  of  conven- 
ient size  for  hou.se  logs,  and  many  for  small  clean  planks,  showed  only  one  iS  inches 
in  diameter  at  a  distance  of  five  feet  above  the  ground. 

It  may  be  said  that  the  country  might  furnish  much  timber,  which,  though  not 
fit  to  be  classed  as  merchantable,  woulil  meet  many  of  the  retiuirements  of  the  only 
industry  the  country  is  ever  likely  to  have,  viz.,  mining. 

MINKR.M.S. 

Under  this  head  I  will  first  mention  coal.  .\  thin  seam  of  this  was  found  on 
Lewes  River,  about  si.\  miles  above  Five  Kinger  Rapids.  This  seam  was  about  three 
feet  thick  and  at  thru  stage  of  water  was  8  or  10  feet  above  the  river.  It  could  be 
traced  for  several  hundred  yards  along  the  bank.  Dr.  Dawson  made  an  examina- 
tion of  this  seam,  and  I  (|uote  from  his  report  regarding  it  :  "  This  exposure  includes, 
within  60  feet  of  the  base  of  the  blulT,  at  least  three  coal  bed.s,  of  which  the  lowest  is 


Dawson,   .\pril,  1S97. 


l-ioiii  I'hoto.  i<Y  ;/'.  OiTihie. 


ff 


Hfs 


g^  CANADA'S   (IKKAT   (lOl.D    FIKI.D. 

ahont  three  feet  thick.     This  and  ti;e  '^l;;;;^^ ;::::::^^^^^ 

whi.l,  a  thickness  of  about  ^  f'^^!'^;^^''^^^^'''^^    •  ^..sure  has  s.nce  laen 

material  is  so  .^^nc  y  an.    n^ynre  as  to  b       sele  s.      ^1_^^_^  ,1^^^  ^^^^  ^^.^^  ^^ 

located  and  claimed  by  Mr.  ''''l  .^[>,, '  ,^,..  ,  f  .r.^e  use  and  claimed  it  served  the  piir- 
feet,  from  which  he  took  some  coal  for  local  '''[J^^  y^''' '  j  scattered  in  irre^ularlv 
nose  well.  The  coal  that  far  n,  was  hard  ^| )  '  f '^^'J^'  \^  ^^^'^^u  ont  w.th  and 
Ihin  seams  through  a  soft  «^',";>^^'''\';;.y^^.  ,  '  \\\^/;' ^.^^ J^^^  he  coal  veins,  as  they 
-;;r :;:  ^;tar  d  tllrou!.!;  thSSu^r  ^;\r:::^t:    as  far  as  this  shaft  ,oe. 

;!-bScoSs  ^f 'rs^s,:^;^;^;.:^vviike.ih..d  that  a  sea.. 

River,  was  reached.     In  the  dritt  at  tne  mo  ,    ,5.^,,^  j,,  ^he  vicmity, 

of  coal  much  weathered  ami  worn.  ^\/":^^^ '"  "  'J'^'h^  „  ,,,,a  burning  some  of  it  be- 
but  they  manifested  surprise  at  myshowmg  '^'^^J''*!'"  1^'^,^^^^  ^f  any  such  stuff  up 
Tore  them.  They  professed  ent.re  'gl-r^J^^^J^^^'^^f  ft  though  they  must,  however, 
the  creek,  and  said  they  had  never  seen  "^  heard  ot  n,in  J.  y  ^^^^^^^^  ,,, 

have  seen  it  at  Belle  Isle,  near  wluc  ^^^^  ^^^:;::  ^6  brouglu  to  the 
^:S:^^.a  S  :;;d^U;:y^;:y:^s.^.;t  son.  toSm  .ranclsco  to  be  tested. 

METAl.S    I'OL'Nl)   ON    TllK    KIVER. 
About  two  miles  up  Fortymile  River  there.^elcug  exposes  of  awh.te  an^ 
a  gray  limestone,  containing  many  thm  seams  and  p,  eke      <>y^^^\  ^,^^^^  ;,  „^ 

seam  J  as  seen  on  the  bank  ,s  "  .^^ilf '  T  wo  sSen  were  sent  ouf  and  have  been 
evidence,  as  it  is  allcovered  ^^'^^^'^^V^^^XiS  Survey  with  the  following  result  : 
assayed  by  Mr^G  C-  Hoffman  otl     Geo  o^^^  ^^^^  ^.^^^  ^^^  ^^^^^^^^  . 

Speamen  marked  II.,  from  I- "'Jy"'' f '  ^^^^^^^ 

^"'^SpeSnUark:^  Sr^ro^^^e^prure^orFo^rfy^mile  River,^about  three-quarters 
^^%treTheTe"slrtro;;ri;'X^ed?he  former  might  be  fou.d  of  sufficient 
extent  and  value  to  warrant  development  .^^  ^^^  ^^^.^  of 

KjSTrrru^rTnrrvfpl'R^nce,  ci.a.   .o,d.  a  .ace. 

=''''5i?.^^;7-M  4V;Ld  .e„t  o^^^^^ 

Cisco  sor.  years  ago  for  assay,  and  that  it  was  pronouncea  g  j  ^^  be 

give  the  value.     I  did  not  make  an  examma  on  of  the  seam,  ^"^        P^^^^.e. 

~esrH^?o"'''No''r,rorvX^SpoT«  fo  i^a,ca,e  an  e.«e„. 

sive  quantity  of  this  ore  =necimens  were  found  by  accident      A 

It  must  be  borne  m  mind  that  these  ^^^f'^l^^^Z^eams     I  have  described 

closer  examination  of  the  localities  might  reveal  valuable  seam-  ^^^^^  ^^^  ^.^^^^  ^.^^ 

the  specimens  found  in  the  order  of    her  vah^^^^^^  are  af  liast  indications  of  wealth. 

show  that  through  an  extensive  .^^'^i^^ ,  ^^^^'^.^f  ^'ver  is  I.,  IV.,  and  II.  and  III. 
The  order  in  which  they  were  picked  up  on  the  river    s  .^  ^^^  ^.^  ^.^^^ 

together  on  Fortymile  River.     F[o'" /"  ^°  "\- '"  f^^ns  of  quartz  had  been  found 
I  was  informed  that  gold  and  s'lver-bearmg  specimens  otq  ^^^^  ^ 

onSixtymile  River,  but  I  can  give  ""details      I  ^^^/^^    ^^-^       „„  ^he  side  of 
men  of  gold-bearing  quartz  was  picked  up  some  years  a|;o      g^^  P^^  ^^^^^  ^^  ^^^ 

the  bank  of  Yukon  River,  opposite  the  mouth  ot  wniie  i^ivc 


I 


okiny;  ccal,  of 

•r  part  of  tlit 

has  since  been 

lull  al)()nt   20 

( rvcd  till'  pur- 

III  irrcKLilarly 

out  witli  ami 

veins,  as  they 

this  shaft  goes 


It 


east  bank  of 
tiiey  siiow  a 
that   a  search 


h)w  Fortymile 

up  specimens 

11  the  vicinity, 

some  of   it  be- 

y  such  stuff  up 

must,  however, 

k  that  comes  m 

brouylil  to  tlic 

to  be  tested. 


i  of  a  white  and 
iia.  One  of  the 
igth  there  is  no 
It  and  liave  been 
[oUowing  result  : 
;s  up,  contains  : 
Js. 
It  three-quarters 

und  of  sutticient 

te  the  mouth  of 
;    gold,   a  trace  ; 

)re  to  San  Fran- 
but  he  could  not 

appeared  to  be 
pearance. 
near  Chandindu 

a  trace  ;  silver, 
dicate  an  exten- 

by  accident.  A 
I  have  described 
lem  are  rich,  they 
lations  of  wealth. 
,  and  II.  and  III. 
;s  in  an  air  line. 

had  been  found 
aed  that  a  speci- 
up  on  the  side  of 
,  was  sent  to  San 


I'm;  NIKON   DisiKicr. 


65 


Kraiuisro  and  assayed,  sliovvin;;  tlie  ennrnious  value  of  l«ljo,ooo  fo  the  ton.  This 
specimen  was  pickrd  up  above  high  water  mark,  so  that  it  must  li.ive  l)t>  11  found  at 
or  near  its  origin,  >  have  been  transported  there  by  a  glaner,  the  bank  iuing  at)out 
1,200  feet  high.     No  further  details  regarding  this  specimei'  could  be  learned. 

.\n  extensive  ledge  of  gold-bearing  (piartz  is  reported  on  the  westerly  side  of 
the  river,  about  two  miles  above  Stewart   River,  but  re:.;,irding   it   I   could   learn 


/■'ram  I'lwto.  t-y  IK  (>ffi/vit. 
On  Eldorado  Creek. —  Looking  N.  W.   across  Bonanza  Valliy. 

nothing  definite.  It  may  be  a  continuation  of  the  same  ledge  which  yiekled  the 
foregoing  specimen. 

While  on  Lake  Bennett  building  our  boat  I  foun.i  an  extensive  ledge  of  quartz 
and  sent  specimens  of  it  out  by  Dr.  Dawson.  The  assay  showed  that  they  con- 
iained  only  traces  of  gold.  The  ledge  is  60  to  80  feet  wide,  and  can  be  easily 
traced  on  the  surface  for  three  or  four  miles.  A  small  creek  cuts  through  it  about 
a  mile  from  the  lake,  and  in  this  creek  are  found  colours  of  gc^ld. 

While  we  were  working  at  our  boat  an  expert,  employed  by  some  California 
capitalists,  came  in  with  an  old  man  who  had  made  a  descent  of  the  river  the  pre- 
vious summer.  The  old  man  and  his  party  were  storm-staid  on  what  he  called 
Lake  liennett,  and  while  so  delayed  he  found  an  enormous  exposure  of  what  he 
thought  was  gold  bearing  rock.  He  took  out  specimens  of  it,  and  had  them 
assayed  at  San  Francisco.  The  result  was  so  promising  (§8.80  of  gold,  antl  92 
cents  of  silver  to  the  ton)  that  he  enlisted  the  interest  of  some  capitalists  who  sent 
him  out  with  the  expert  to  locate  and  test  it  thoroughly.  The  old  man  described 
the  exposure  so  minutely  and  circumstantially  that  one  could  scarcely  disbelieve 
his  statement.  They  looked  for  the  ledge  for  some  days,  but  could  find  nothing 
resembling  what  he  described.  They  then  called  upon  me  and  requested  my  aid. 
As  I  was  making  all  possible  haste  to  keep  my  appointment  with  Dr.  Dawson  at 
Pelly  River  I  was  loath  to  lose  time  in  aiding  the  search,  but,  on  account  of  the 


66 


CANADA'S    ORKAT     •')f,I)    KIKM). 


importance  of    the   matter,   aiul   tlu-   old  s  earnestness  and   importiiiiit),   and 

mllnencfd  further  by  a  certificate  of  assay  which  lie  had,  showinK  the  •  (lecimeiis 
to  have  yielded  the  amounts  stated  (about  e(|ual  to  the  celebrated  rrc.idwfll  mine 
at  Juneau,  Alaska,  the  rock  of  which  he  said  his  mine  much  resemblen),  I  at  last 
consented. 

I  spent  a  day  aid  a  I'i^jht  senrchinjj  with  him  and  his  associates,  but  we  faded 
to  finil  anything  like  wh.t  he  described.  The  old  man  told  m)  many  cordlicting 
stories,  and  scmed  t(»  know  so  little  of  ihe  lake,  that  I  became  convinced  he  was 
astray,  and  had  bten  hoaxed  by  some  one  with  a  piece  of  the  'I'readwell  rock.  I 
then  left  them  to  shift  for  themselves.  The  expert  took  the  same  view  of  the  matter, 
and,  as  he  was  in  charjje  of  the  search,  ended  it  there. 

I  ifterwards,  on  J^ake  Tagish,  saw  a  place  much  resemblin<r  ihat  described.  It 
is  on  the  south  side  of  the  lake,  and  just  east  of  its  junction  with  the  I'akone  arm. 
I  was  strongly  of  opinion  that  this  is  the  place  he  referred  to,  and  would  have 
examined  it  to  verify  my  impression,  but  the  wind  was  too  strong  and  the  lake  too 
rough  to  allow  of  crossing  over. 

The.se  are  all  the  indications  of  ore  in  situ  which  I  saw  or  heard  of. 

The  gold  heretofore  found  and  worked  in  this  district  has  been  all  placer  gold. 
Search  was  made  for  it  occasionally  by  us  along  the  lakes  and  river  as  we  descended, 
but  with  the  exception  of  the  colours  mentioned  at  the  quartz  ledge  on  Lake  Ben- 
nett, none  was  found  until  after  we  had  passed  Lake  Labarge,  about  six  miles 
below  which,  at  a  sharp,  short  bend  in  the  river  we  found  in  a  bar  many  colours  to 
tl<e  pan.  It  maybe  said  generally  that  colours  are  found  anywhere  ou  the  river 
between  that  point  and  th_  boundary,  and  also  on  the  tributaries  which  have  been 
prospected. 

It  is  probable  that  we  have  not  less  than  1,400  miles  of  stream  in  our  part  of  the 
district,  upon  all  of  which  gold  can  be  found. 

About  eighteen  miles  below  the  Teslin  I  saw  the  first  place  that  had  been 
worked  for  gold.  Here  a  hut  had  been  erected,  and  there  were  indications  that  a 
party  had  wintered  there.  Between  it  and  Big  Salmon  River  six  other  locations 
were  met  with.  One  of  them  named  Cassiar  Bar  was  worked  in  the  season  of  1886, 
by  a  party  of  four,  who  took  out  $6,000  in  thirty  days.  They  were  working  there 
when  I  passed  in  1887,  but  stated  that  all  they  could  get  that  .sea.son  was  $10  per 
day,  and  that  it  was  then  (3rd  August)  about  worked  out.  At  the  time  of  my  visit 
they  were  trying  the  bank,  but  found  the  ground  frozen  at  a  depth  of  about  three 
feet,  though  there  was  no  timber  or  moss  on  it.  They  had  recourse  to  fire  to  tttaw 
out  the  ground,  but  found  this  slow  work. 

Two  of  this  party  subsequently  went  down  to  Fortymile  River,  where  I  met  one 
of  them.  He  was  a  Swede,  and  had  been  gold  mining  for  upwards  of  twenty-five 
years  in  California  and  British  Columbia.  He  gave  me  his  opinion  on  the  district  in 
these  words  :  "  I  never  saw  a  country  where  there  was  so  much  gold,  and  so  evenly 
distributed  ;  no  place  is  very  rich,  but  no  place  is  very  poor  ;  every  man  can  make  a 
'grub  stake '  (that  is  enough  to  feed  and  clothe  him  for  a  year)  which  is  more  tha;  I 
can  say  of  the  other  places  I  have  been  in." 

In  conversation  with  Mr.  T.  Boswell,  who,  as  already  stated,  had  ;)rospected 
the  Teslin  or  Newberry  River,  in  the  summer  of  1887,  I  learned  that  the  whole 
length  of  that  river  yielded  fine  goW,  generally  at  the  rate  of  $8  to  $10  per  day;  but 
as  the  miners'  great  desideratum  is  coarse  gold,  they  do  not  remain  long  in  a  country 
in  which  only  fine  gold  is  found  —  generally  no  longer  than  is  necessary  to  make  a 
"  grub  stake,"  unless  gold  is  in  unusually  large  quantities.  Mr.  Boswell,  therefore, 
went  to  the  lower  part  of  the  river,  having  heard  the  reports  of  rich  finds. 

Stewart  River  was  the  first  in  the  district  on  which  mining  to  any  extent  was 
done.  In  1886  there  were  quite  a  number  of  miners  on  it  engaged  in  washing  gold, 
and  they  all  appeared  to  have  done  fairly  well.  Their  exact  number  1  could  not 
ascertain. 

1  may  say  that  it  is  "generally  very  difficult  to  get  any  exact,  or  even  approxi- 
mately exact,  statement  of  facts  or  v  '  les  from  miners.  Many  of  them  a-'c  inveter- 
ate jokers,  and  take  delight  in  hoaxing  :  the  higher  the  official  or  social  position  of 


I 


iporttinity,  and 

the  '  (K'cimens 

I'nMtlwfll  mine 

nblc'i).  I  at  Unt 

!!i,  but  we  failed 
lany  corillicting 
nviiiced  he  was 
lulwell  rock.  I 
;w  of  the  matter, 

t  described.  U 
he  Takone  arm. 
mil  \vf)ulil  have 
und  the  lake  too 

of. 

all  placer  gold, 
as  we  descended, 
\^e  on  l-ake  Ben- 
ahout  six  miles 
many  colours  to 
Rre  on  the  river 
vhich  have  been 

n  our  part  of  the 

e  that  had  been 
idications  that  a 
c  other  locations 
2  season  of  1886, 
re  working  there 
son  was  $10  per 
time  of  my  visit 
h  of  about  three 
2  to  fire  to  thaw 

,  where  I  met  one 
ds  of  twenty-five 
on  the  district  in 
)ld,  and  so  evenly 
'  man  can  make  a 
ch  is  more  tha.    I 

1,  had  prospected 
:\  that  the  whole 
$10  per  day;  but 
long  in  a  country 
:essary  to  make  a 
;ioswell,  therefore, 
h  finds. 

to  any  extent  was 
I  in  washing  gold, 
mber  I  could  not 

or  even  approxi- 

them  a'c  <nveter- 

social  position  of 


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THK    VIKON    DISIRICT. 


67 


the  person  they  hoax  tlie  better  lliev  are  pleased.  I  have  several  times  found  that 
after  s|iending  hours  jjjettiuy  inforuiatitjn  from  one  of  them  it  would  be  all  contra- 
dicted by  the  next  one  I  met.  .Vnother  cause  of  difticulty  in  getting  tru.st\vorth\ 
uiformation  from  them  is  that  in  a  certain  sense  they  consider  every  government 
official  or  agent  their  enemy,  and  that  he  is  in  the  country  to  spy  upon  their  lioings, 
and  t'uul  out  their  earnings,  which  latter  the  great  majority  of  them  are  very  much 
averse  to  iiave  known. 

So  far  as  I  could  see  or  learn,  they  do  not  even  disclose  to  each  other  their  earn- 
ings for  the  season.  I  met  one  or  two  who  told  me  that  they  had  made  a  certain 
amount  in  the  season,  but  on  encjuiry  among  the  rest  these  statements  were  ridiculed 
and  declared  untrue.  As  a  rule  they  are  very  genemus  and  honest  in  their  dealings 
with  their  fellow  men,  but  a  desire  for  correct  geographical  or  statistical  knowledge 
does  not  actuate  very  many  of  them  ;  hence  the  disagreement  and  often  contradic- 
tion in  their  statements. 

1  have  heard  the  amount  of  gold  taken  from  off  Stewart  River  in  1X85  and  iX,S6 
estimated  at  various  amounts.  One  estimate  was  $300,000,  but  this  must  be  exces- 
sive. The  highest  amount  I  heard  as  representing  one  man's  earnings  was  about 
§6,000.      This  may  be  true,  as  many  agree  that  $30  per  da\',  per  man,  was  common 


■I 

■3? 


Looking   North   Down   \'ukon    Kivcr,   from   Moiiiitaiii  Ton  I'.ast   nf   Uawson. 


on  many  of  the  bars  of  the  river,  and  instances  of  as  higl)  as  §100  per  day  having 
been  earnetl  were  sjioken  of. 

The  only  mining  ilone  on  Stewart  River  was  on  the  bars  in  the  river  ;  the  bench 
and  bank  bars  \vere  all  timbered  and  frozen,  so  that  to  work  them  would  entail  a 
resort  to  hydraulic  mining,  for  which  there  was  no  machinery  in  the  country. 

During  the  fall  of  i<SS6,  three  or  four  miners  combined  and  got  the  owners  of 
the  "  New  Racket  "  steamboat  tt)  allow  the  use  of  her  engine  to  work  pninps  for 
sluicing  with.     The  boat   was  hauled   up  on  a   bar,  her  engines  detached  from  tiie 


68 


CANADA'S    CRKAT    C.Ol.I)    FIKI.D. 


wheels  and  made  to  drive  a  sel  ..f  |)inni)s  .nauufactured  on  the  ground  wnich  sup- 
plied water  for  a  set  of  sluicing  boxes.  With  this  crude  machniery,  in  less  than  a 
month,  the  miners  cleared  $.,ooo  each,  and  i)aid  an  e.iual  amount  to  the  owners  of 

the  boat  as  their  share.  ■  .    i  .      „     ,k.,,   ,i,„ 

Alexander  McDonald,  who  has  been  mentioned  before,  reported  to  me  tluit  the 
irold  on  the  upi)er  river  was  somewhat  coarser  than  that  on  the  lower  but  not  enough 
so  as  to  be  called  "coarse  gold."  He  seemed  to  be  satished  with  the  result  of  h.s 
season's  prospecting,  and  intended  spending  the  next  season  there  1  his  man  wan- 
dered around  the  countrv  prospecting  alone  until  1S94  (I  think),  when  h.s  dea('.  body 
was  found  on  the  bank  of  the  Yukon  River,  and  buried  where  it  was  found.  It 
an,>ears  he  started  off  alone  as  usual  on  a  prospecting  trip  iip  the  Yukon  :uu  on  the 
way.  it  is  supiiosed,  he  was  taken  sick,  as  the  body  was  found  wrapped  in  h.s  blankets, 
and"bo.e  the  appea.-anie  of  dying  while  asleep. 

Many  of  the  miners  who  had  spent  1886  on  Stewart  River,  and  1SS7  on  I-orty- 
mile  River  seemed  to  think  the  former  the  better  all  round  m.mng  field,  as  there 
were  no  such  failures  there  as  on  l''ortymile,  and  they  declared  their  mtent.on  t.. 
make  their  way  back  to  the  Stewart  for  the  season  of  1S88. 

Kortvmile  River  is  the  only  river  .n  the  distr.ct  on  which,  up  to  the  fall  of  18.S8, 
coa.-se  gold  had  been   found,  and  it  maybe  said  that  much  ot   it  can  hardly  cla.m 
that  distinctive  title.     The  largest  nugget  found  was  worth  about  $39-     It  was  lost 
on  the  bodv  of  a  miner  who  was  drowned  at  the  canon.     Several  other  nuggets  (. 
much   less  'value   have  been  found,  but  the  number  of  pieces  which  one  could  call 

"  nuireet  "  are  few.  ,         ,        .  •      ^1      1     i     c 

The  miners  term  Fortymile  a  •' bed-rock  "  creek- that  is,  one  in  the  bed  of 
which  there  is  little  or  no  drift,  or  detritai  matter,  the  bottom  of  the  river  bemg  bed- 
rock In  many  places  this  rock  has  been  scraped  with  knives  by  the  miners,  m  order 
to  Leather  the  small  amount  of  detritus  and  its  accompanying  gold. 

Very  little  of  the  gold  on  this  creek  was  found  in  Canadian  territory,  the  coarsest 
-old  being  found  well  up  the  river.  The  river  had  been  prospected  in  1887  tor 
upwards  of  one  hundred  miles,  and  gold  found  all  the  way  up  1  he  great  point  with 
a  miner  is  to  find  where  the  gold  comes  from.  To  do  this  he  has  to  reach  a  point  on 
the  river  where  there  is  none  ;  then  he  knows  he  has  passed  the  source,  and  wil 
search  in  side  valleys  and  gulches.  The  theory  seems  to  be  that  the  gold  is  stored 
up  somewhere  and  dribbled  out  along  the  river. 

Pieces  of  gold-bearing  quartz  had  frequently  been  picked  up  along  the  nver  in 
the  shallow  drift,  but  none  had  been  found  in  place,  nor  did  it  appear  to  me  that 
much  search  had  been  made  for  it.  Near  the  mouth  of  the  river  there  is  an  extensive 
flat  of  detritai  matter  through  which  a  couple  of  small  creeks  flow.  I  his  is  all  said 
to  be  gold-bearing,  and.  it  was  thought,  would  pay  well  for  sluicing.  Accordingly  a 
couple  of  claiinants  had  staked  off  claims  at  the  mouth  of  the  creek,  and  intended  to 
try  sluicing  in  the  season  of  1888.  1  have  not  heard  how  the  venture  succeeded.  It 
was  abandoned  in  1S89  through  high  water. 

During  the  season  of  1887  some  miners  prospected  Pelly  River,  but  I  have  no 
information  as  to  their  success.  Dr.  Dawson  mentions  the  fact  of  their  being  there, 
but  does  not  appear  to  have  got  any  statistics  from  them. 

Big  and  Little  Salmon  Rivers  have  also  been  prospected,  with  the  usual  result 
that  more  or  less  gold  has  been  found  everywhere.  ,    ,       .,,  ,  ,       r 

I  think  it  ma?,  with  confidence,  be  asserted  that  rich  finds  will  yet  be  made  o 
both  coarse  gold  and  gold-bearing  quartz.  It  is  not  likely  in  the  nature  of  things  th^^^^ 
such  a  vast  extent  of  country  should  have  all  its  fine  gold  deposi  ed  as  sediment, 
brought  from  a  distance  in  past  ages  of  the  world's  development.  If  this  is  n..t  the 
case,  the  matrix  from  which  all  the  gold  on  these  streams  has  come  must  sti  exist 
in  part  at  least,  and  will  no  doubt  be  discovered,  and  thus  enrich  this  otherwise 
gloomv  and  desolate  region.  .  ,,   ., 

There  are  many  bank  and  bench  bars  along  the  nver  which  would  pa\  well   i 
sluiced,  but  there  is  no  convenient  or  economical  way  of  getting  water  on  them,  and 
ihere  is  no  pumping  machinerv  as  yet  in  the  country.     One  bank  bar  of  large  extent 
called  Rogers'  lar.  just  below  Old  Man   Rock,  attracted  attention  in  the  spring  of 


Liiid,  wiiicli  sup- 

ii)  Ifss  I  hail  a 

)  tlie  owiuTs  of 

to  nic  llu'.l  tlie 
but  not  enouijh 
le  result  of  liis 
Tills  man  waii- 
II  Ills  tlcac'.  body 
was  found.  It 
kon,  iiul  on  the 
in  his  blankets, 

1S.S7  on  Forty- 
ijj  field,  as  there 
eir  intention  to 

the  fall  of  1888, 
L-an  hartily  claim 
39.  It  was  lost 
other  nug}j;ets  of 
h  one  coukl  call 

e  in  the  bed  of 
river  being  bed- 
miners,  in  order 

tory,  tiie  coarsest 
::ted  in  1887  for 
great  point  with 
reach  a  point  on 
;  source,  and  will 
le  gold  is  stored 

ong  the  river  in 
pear  to  me  that 
!re  is  an  extensive 
This  is  all  said 
.  Accordingly  a 
,  and  intended  to 
re  succeeded.     It 

er,  but  I  have  no 
their  being  there, 

the  usual   result 

yet  be  made  of 
ure  of  things  that 
sited  as  sediment. 
If  this  is  n,)t  the 
;  must  still  e.xist, 
ich  this  otherwise 

,vould  pay  well   if 

Iter  on  them,  and 

ar  of  large  extent, 

in  the  spring  of 


TIIK    XTKON    DISTRICT, 


69 


iSSS,  anil  sonic  miners  were  thinking  of  gettiuir  in  an  engine  and  pumps  to  work  it. 
I  made  an  estimate  of  the  size  of  engine  reipurcd  for  iheir  needs,  and  romputed  the 
jirobabk'  cost  of  the  ])lant  laid  tlown,  but  it  doe.^;  not  ajipear  that  they  made  any 
further  move. 

This  bar  is  more  than  fifty  feet  above  the  water,     it  fronts  on  the  river  for  more 
than  two  miles,  and  is  in  places  nearly  two  miles  deep.     It  is  believed  that  in  past 


/■'mm  Phot,'.  !■)■  W.  (>.,'i/ri,: 
l-ooking  N.  W.    from   llc;ul  of   Uimanza  Creek. 

ages  the  Old  Man  and  Old  Woman  rocks  were  connected  and  formed  a  barrier  across 
the  river,  over  wnich  there  was  a  cataract.  Helow  this  the  fine  gold  remained,  while 
the  sand  and  gravel  were  in  part  carried  further  down.  So  impressed  were  some 
persons  with  the  prospect  of  rich  finds  on  this  bar  that  they  thought  of  bringing 
water  across  from  the  high  level  of  Fortymile  River,  a  distance  of  over  thirty  miles  ; 
but  when  I  went  up  Fortymile  River  to  the  boundary  I  saw  that  it  could  not  be  done 
without  the  aid  of  force  pumps,  and  1  explained  this  drawback  to  them.  'This  bar  is 
said  to  yield  four  to  six  cents  to  the  pan,  which,  with  plenty  of  water  for  sluicing, 
would  pay  well,  while  its  large  extent  would  warrant  considerable  outlay.  Doubt- 
less there  are  many  other  bars  as  rich  as  th.is  one,  t'  ough  not  as  large. 

I'latinum  is  generally  found  associated  with  gold.  This  is  iiarticularly  the  case 
on  Fortymile  River. 

As  very  few  outside  of  mining  communities  understand  anything  of  the  nomen- 
clature of  the  craft,  or  of  the  methods  empUjyitl  to  separate  the  very  small  (juanti- 
ties  of  the  precious  metal  from  the  baser  material  with  which  it  is  associated,  a  short 
ilescription  will  not  Re  out  of  place. 

When  a  miner  "strikes"  a  bar  he  "prospects  "  it  by  washing  a  few  panfuls  of 
the  gravel  or  sand  of  which  it  is  comjiosetl.  Accoriling  to  the  number  of  "  colours  " 
he  fiiuls  to  the  pan,  that  is,  the  number  of  specks  of  goUl  he  can  see  in  his  pan  after 
all  the  dirt  has  been  washed  out,  he  judges  of  its  richness.      Many  of  them  have  had 


!.i 


M 


70 


CANADA'S    CRl'-AT    (loIK    1II'.I.1> 


in  ;i  few  inimites,  vt-ry  nt-arly.  how  niinh  :i  bar 


so  iiukIi  exptTience  that  they  eaii  tel 

'-''  ^ri;!;'  \Z^  ol  '^l^e: •■  .1..,..  .  a.,out  as  follows  Aftev  ^^;;^^^^^ 
coarse  travel  and  stone  off  a  patcii  of  ground,  the  miner  lifts  a  little  of  tic  f.ntr 
Sa^e^  or  sand  in  his  pan.  which  is  a  broad,  shallow  dish,  made  of  strong  sheet 
Si  he  then  puts  in  water  enougii  to  fill  the  pan.  and  gives  it  a  few  rapid  whirls 
md  sir  kes  thiJ  tends  to  bring  the  gold  to  the  bottom  on  account  of  its  greater  spe- 
df  c  grav-  ti-  The  dish  is  thtn  shaken  and  held  in  such  a  way  that  the  gravel  and 
s-  ml  ire  graduallv  washed  out,  care  being  taken  as  the  process  nears  completion  to 
.t-dd  etti  g  o»  the  finer  and  heavier  parts  that  have  settled  t.)  the  bottom.  Mn- 
X  all  th'itis  kft  in  the  pan  is  whatever  gold  may  have  been  m  the  dish  and  some 
hW'rk  sand  which  almost  invariablv  accompanies  it.  ^  ■       i  i  .1  11 

"''  rhlsbkl^k  sand  is  nothing  bu't  pulverised  magnetic  iron  ore.     ^^^^^^ ^^ 
thus  found  be  fine,  the  contents  of  the  pan  are  thrown  into  a  barrel  containing  water 
nd  a         nd  or  two  of  mercurv.     As  soon  as  the  gold  comes  into  contact  w.  h  tie 
e  c  r    i    c omnmes  with  it  and  'forms  an  amalgam.      The  process  is  continued  until 
efoughamagam  has  been  formed  to  pay  for  "roasting"  or  "firing."      t  is  then 
so  eezed    hrou^    a  buckskin  bag,  all  the  mercury  that  comes  thr.n.gh  the  l>ag  being 
Stack  [nto  tL  barrel  to  serve\gain,  and  what  remains  in  ^^:^^J;^^^^^,:^ 
retort   if  the  miner  has  one,  or,  if  not,  on  a  shovel,  and  heated  until  ntarh  all  tl  e 
mercu'ry  is  vaporized.     The  gold  then  remains  in  a  lump,  with  some  mercury  still 

''''Thns'c"S^ht''pan"  or  "hand"  method,  and  is  never,  on  account  of  its 
slowness  and  laboriousness,  continued  for  any  length  of  time  when  it  is  possible  to 
nrocure  a  "  rocker,"  or  to  make  and  work  sluices. 

^      A  "rocker"    s  simply  a  box  about  three  feet  long  and  two  wide,  made  m  two 
oarts    the   ton    part    being  shallow,   with   a  heavy   sheet   iron    bottom,    which   is 
Punched  full  of  quarter-inch  holes.     The   other  part  of  the  bo.,  is  fitted  with  an 
Kned  shelf  ab?ut  midway  in  its  depth,  which  is  six  or  eight  inches    ower  at  ,ts 
owe    end  than  at  its  upper      Over  this  is  placed   a  piece  of  heavy  woollen  blanket. 
The  whole  is  then  mounted  on  two  rockers,  much  resembling  those  of  an  ordinary 
cradlJ  and  when  in  use  they  are  placed  on  two  blocks  of  ^yood  so  that  the  whole 
mavt^eeadily  rocked.     After  the  miner  has  selected  his  claim,  he  looks  for  the 
mSt  convenient  place  to  set  up  his  "  rocker,"  which  must  be  near  a  good  supply  of 
vaer      Then  he^roceeds  to  clear  away  all  the  stones  and  coarse  gravel,  gathering 
he  fi'^er  gravel  and  sand  in  a  heap  near'the  "rocker."     'I'he  shal  ow  box  on    op  is 
fi  led  with  th^s,  and  with  one  hand  the  miner  rocks  it,  while  with  the  other  he  ladles 
in  water      Th;  finer  matter  with  the  gold  falls  through  the  holes  on  to  the  blanket 
vh  irchecks  Its    rogress,  and  holds  the  fine  particles  of  gold,  while  the  sand  and 
othe    matte    pass  oler  i't  to  the  bottom  of 'the  box,  which  is  sloped  so  that  wha 
conies  XoTgh^fs  washed  downwards  and  finally  out  of  the  box.     Across  the  bottom 
of  the  box  are  fixed  thin  slats,  behind  which  some  mercury  is  placed  to  catch  any 
partides  Lf  gold  which  may  escape  the  blanket.     If  the  gold  is  ""ggety  the  large 
Suggets  are^found  in  the  upper  box,  their  weight  detaining  them  "n^>  .f '•  f  ^^'^ter 
stuthas  passed  through,  and  the  smaller  ones  are  he  d  ^y/J^l^eper  f  at  at  the  o 
ward  end  of  the  bottom  of  the  box      The  piece  of  blanket  is  at  intervals  taken  out 
and  rinsed  into  a  barrel ;  if  the  gold  is  fine,  mercury  is  placed  at  the  bottom  of  the 

'"'tudcingTs'jlv'rs'"^  when  possible.     It  requires  a  good  supply  of  water 

with  s  ffic  ent  head  or  fall.  The  process  is  as  follows  :  Planks  are  procured  and 
oinedhuo  a  box  of  suitable  width  and  depth.  Slats  are  fixed  across  the  bo  torn  o 
Se  box  at  suitable  intervals,  or  shallow  holes  bored  in  the  bottom  •"^"J^h  order  that 
no  oarticle  could  run  along  the  bottom  in  a  straight  line  and  escape  running  over  a 
hole  Several  of  hese  boxes  are  then  set  up  with  a  considerable  slope  and  are  fit  ed 
into  one  at'other  at  the  ends  like  a  stove-pipe.  A  stream  of  water  .s  now  ch  ec  d 
into  the  upper  end  of  the  highest  box.  The  gravel  having  been  col  ected,  as  in  the 
case  of  le  rocker,  it  is  shSvelled  into  the  upper  box  and  >^.  cashed  downwards  ly 
the  strong  current  of  water.     The  gold  is  detained  by  its  weight,  and  is  held  by  the 


low  iniua  ;i  l);ir 

cleariiiii;  all  the 
iuie  of  tie  fintT 
of  strong  sheet 
few  rapid  whirls 
its  greater  spe- 
t  the  gravel  ami 
s  coniiiletion  to 
e  bottom.  Fin- 
dish  and  some 

should  the  gold 
■oiitaining  water 
contact  with  the 
i  continued  until 
ng."  It  is  then 
jh  the  bag  being 
g  is  placed  in  a 
itil  nearly  all  the 
me  mercury  still 

on  account  of  its 
n  it  is  possible  to 

ride,  made  in  two 
loltom,  which  is 
is  fitted  with  an 
iches  lower  at  its 

woollen  blanket, 
se  of  an  ordinary 
so  that  the  whole 
he  looks  for  the 

a  good  supply  of 
gravel,  gathering 
[)W  box  on  top  is 
le  other  he  ladles 
on  to  the  blanket, 
lile  the  saiid  and 
oped  so  that  what 
\cross  the  bottom 
laced  to  catch  any 
luggety,  the  large 
ntil  all  the  lighter 
r  slat  at  the  out- 
itervals,  taken  out 
he  bottom  of  the 

id  supply  of  water 
i  are  procured  and 
ross  the  bottom  of 
in  such  order  that 
ipe  running  over  a 
lope  and  are  fitted 
;r  is  now  directed 
collected,  as  in  the 
hed  downwards  by 
and  is  held  by  the 


i'MI';    Vl'KON    DISlKlcri 


71 


l.ookint;  .uross   ISdiianza  Valley  and   up   Kldoriulu  \'allcy  to  Claim   No.    7. 

slats  or  ill  the  holes  mentioned  ;  if  it  is  fine,  mercury  is  i)laced  behind  the  slats,  or  in 
these  holes  to  catch  it.  In  this  way  about  three  times  as  much  dirt  can  he  washed 
as  by  the  rocker,  and  conseciuently  three  lime;-;  as  much  gold  is  secured  in  a  given 
time.  .After  the  bo.xes  are  done  with  they  arc  burned,  and  the  ashes  washed  for  the 
gold  held  in  tiie  wooil.* 

Unfortunately,  on  I, ewes  and  I'elly  Rivers  there  is  no  way  of  sluicing  without 
the  aid  of  pumps,  tiierc  being  no  streams  with  fall  enough  to  get  the  necessary  cur- 
rent in  the  sluice  bo.xes. 

There  is  very  little  reliable  information  as  to  the  amount  of  gold  tiial  has  been 

*  .V  ^rcat  many  of  the  miners  spL-nd  their  time  in  the  summer  prospecting  and  in  the  winter  icsoit 
to  a  method  lately  adopteii,  and  which  is  ealled  "hurnint;."  They  make  fires  <ui  llii^  surface,  thus  thaw- 
ing the  ground  until  tlie  hed  rock  is  reached,  then  <lrift  and  tunnel  ;  the  ]iay<lirl  is  brought  to  the  surface 
and  heaped  in  a  ])ile  until  spring,  when  water  can  he  ot)tainefl.  'l"he  sluice  boxes  are  then  set  up  and 
the  dirt  is  washed  out,  thus  enabling  the  miner  to  work  advantageously  ami  profitably  the  year  round. 
This  method  has  been  found  very  satisfactory  in  places  where  the  pay  streak  is  at  any  great  depth  from 
the  surface.  In  this  way  the  complaint  is  overcome  which  has  been  so  commonly  advanced  bv  miners 
and  others,  that  in  the  Yukon  several  months  of  the  year  are  lost  in  idleness.  Winter  usually  sets  in 
very  soon  after  the  middle  of  September,  and  continues  until  the  beginning  of  June,  and  is  decidedly  cold. 
The  mercury  fre<piently  falls  to  60  degrees  below  zero,  but  in  the  interior  there  is  so  little  humidity  in  the 
atmosphere  that  the  cold  is  more  easily  endured  than  on  the  coast.  The  temperature  runs  pretty  high 
in  summer  as  well  as  low  in  the  winter  ;  it  is  quite  a  common  thing  for  the  thermometer  to  register  So  90 
degrees  in  the  shade.  There  is  continuous  daylight  from  the  middle  of  .May  until  the  early  part  of 
August,  but  in  the  depth  of  winter  there  is  little  more  than  three  hours  of  partial  daylight  in  the  twenty- 
four.  So  that  constant  daylight  for  a  portion  of  the  year  and  almost  total  darkness  for  another  portini. 
might  very  well  create  doubts  in  one's  mind  as  to  what  portion  of  the  day  in  either  case  sluuild  be  given 
to  sleep.  In  the  summer  months  it  is  possible  for  a  miner  to  put  in  as  many  hours  as  he  has  the  power 
to  eiulure  the  jiliysical  strain.  Constant  davliglil  admits  in  several  shifts  of  men  being  emiiloyed,  and  in 
this  way  mining  o])erati<ins  may  go  on  continuously  throughout  every  liour  of  the  day. 


I 


I 


It 


7-' 


CANADA'S    CkKAT    (loLD    IIKI.D. 


taken  out  of  tlic  (li'^trict  since  its  (lis( overv  ami  (levclopmcnl.  'I'hu  fi>lli)\viny  is  the 
best  tstimale  wliic:ii  1  (an  form  on  tiic  siil)ji'(t  : 

Stewart  River  was  pretty  well  worked  for  two  seasons,  1H85-S6,  by  about  forty 
men,  some  of  whom  made  at  least  §5,000.  Assinninj,^  that  tlicy  averas^U'd  iialf  that 
amonnt,  we  have  $100,000  as  tlieir  earniM^,'s  Kortymiie  Kiver,  tiie  only  other 
stream  from  wiiich  any  larife  (|uanlity  has  been  taken,  was  worked  in  tiie  summer 
of  iS,S7  by  about  liiree  iunidred  men,  ni.my  of  wiiom  spent  only  a  few  weeks  on  the 
river,  some  only  a  few  days.  The  statement  made  by  tho.se  of  whom  1  iiujuired 
was  that  all  who  worked  on  the  river  for  any  len^fth  of  time  made  a  "j.^rub  s.ake." 
Putting  this  at  the  lowest  \alue  I  jjlaeed  on  it,  $450,  and  assuming,'  that  two  hundred 
and  lltty  men  made  each  this  sum,  we  luive  SiM2,5ooas  the  amount  tal. en  out  on 
this  stre.nn.      I  have  heard  the  sum  placed  at  $1,50,000. 

■  Ml  the  yold  taken  from  the  other  str^:ams  \iy  prosjiectors  would  not  ai'iount  to 
more  than  a  few  thousand  dollars,  so  that  it  is  probable  the  total  amount  takv-n  out 
of  the  whole  district  is  in  the  vicinity  of  a  (piarter  of  a  nnllion  iloUars,  of  which  ai^cv.i 
half  was  taken  out  in  our  teriitoiw 

I  learned  that  the  prevailinj,'  hiy;h  water  interfered  very  much  with  the  .^uccess 
of  the  miners  in  the  season  of  iS.SS,  and  that  many  of  them  left  the  coniitry  in  the 
fall.  It  is  |)robable,  however,  that  a  few  will  remain  prospectini;  mitd  something 
rich  is  found. 

.\s  Dr.  Dawson  has  reported  on  the  j.;eoloy^y  of  the  reyion  .-''onij  the  Lewes,  and 
Mr.  McConnell  has  made  an  e.xamination  of  the  \'ukon  fro-'.  Porcupine  River,  it  is 
needless  to  do  more  than  to  refer  to  their  reports.  I  ma*'  .iriefly  state,  however,  that 
the  whole  course  of  the  river  in  Canada  is  throu^di  a  n'auitainous  country,  the  rocks 
of  which,  as  far  as  seen,  are  ])rincipally  i^ranite,  sc'-'.sts,  shales  and  some  limestone, 
the  latter  at  l.ake  l.abar.ije.  I'here  is  also  some  '.lasalt  at  the  canon  anil  at  the  coil- 
lluei.ce  with  I'ellv  River. 


( 


/■>vw  /'/h'/c>.  f^y  //'.  Ogilvie. 
From  mountain  top  cast  of  Dawson.  —  Looking  iiii  and  across  the  Klondike  X'alley. 


cllowiny  is  tlie 

by  about  forty 
!r;i;rc(l  half  that 
tin-  only  otlier 
ill  tlu'  siimnu'r 
w  weeks  on  till- 
hoin  1  iiuiiuri-'d 
a  "  Rrul)  si.akf." 
Kit  two  bmulrcd 
111  tai.cii   out  oil 

I  noi  a.Mount  to 
nouiU  takon  out 

of  wliicli  a^i'  .i. 

wiiti  111',  .-uccc'ss 

le  coi.'.itry  in  t.l><-' 

imtil  something 

r  the  I-ewes,  and 

uiiini-  KiviT,  it  is 

itc,  however,  lliat 

untry.  the  rocks 

some  limestone, 

II  ami  at  the  cou- 


■<^?m^ 


ondikc  Valley. 


'Ilii:   \LR()N    Ki^iRicr, 


79 


i 


CANADA'S    {1RK.\I'    COll'    MKI-''- 
t.ist  hplow  C.al  Creek  a  ranee  ui  hiuli  mnimlains  o.mes  m  fnm.  the  southeast 

£':'.;;;::;■  "Th^"  ;',:„r;v;::w' ,." 'Set ..'  l^y .':...  „„.,  ■.,  .„y  v ,..!„,..  „.„ 

"'"■';;',;:.'-,,"u;;';I:  ».™  tr,.,,,  .1,.  s,„ah  e,,.!  .,t  l.ake  |,„har«„  on  .1..  ea,t  s„l.   1  l.ave 

?eet      The  height  utdetennined  was  .,390  feet,  which  gives  the  altttude  above  sea 
7,  180  feet.     Mount  Gladman  was  apparently  a  httle  higher. 

■rhe  onlv  people  doing  business  in  the  cou.ury  outside  of  gold  mming  were 
AJess  s  Hamer  Mc OuJstin  &  Co.  They  have  been  trading  at  several  ponUs  ou  the 
Messrs.  Harper,  'Y^v"^*^";'-"  ^^  '^  '    occurjied  Fort   Rel  ance  for  some  years, 

•="Z:X'Z;:^SSjf^:^..  For.ymUe  River,  whUher  neaHy  a>,  Jhe  .„,,.r, 

'"■"  tlSSlhrn'ltrviS'ed'ir  0™,™^=  .radc  *,n.  by  this  firm  was  confined  to 
barter  w  I.    he    at'vertor  furs.    I  understand  that  they  do  a  sort  ot  comraiss.on  busi- 

fhe  latter  being  the  goods  imported  for  the  use  of  the  mmers. 


in  tlif  soiitlieast, 

s  ,ii»'  (onijiosed 

.toiu'. 

iimiMU  praks  by 

i  not,  owmK'  to 

n  on  my  map  of 

vnowlfdj^f.  l)een 

cast  side.  I  liave 
fV.      Its  altitude 

mil  Its  distance 
om  tiu'  ol)si'ivfd 
3,23s  ami  3,263 
11  the  iiistriimi'iit 

sighteil  oil  from 
h.  'i'he  altitude 
of  liie  mountain 

1,  after  a  member 
'hiese  two  peaks 
Mounl  Morrison 
nean  of  tlie  read- 
with  tile  readinjr 
r  was  about  fifty 
.Ititude  above  sea 

[old  mininjj  were 
eral  points  01.  the 
for  some  years, 
demands  of  the 
ish  to  the  country 
all  were  for  some 
broke  out  in  the 

arly  all  the  miners 
evious  fall.  I'ur- 
Messrs.  Harper  i^: 
ivart  River.  The 
had  there  been  no 
[  could  not  learn 
,  delicate  question 
tory  to  reveal  to  a 
Very  likely,  had 
uj^h  ill  every  other 
1  for  acts  of  kind- 

i  during  the  season 
■  my  own  observa- 

rm  was  confined  to 
)f  commission  busi- 
ly supply  goods  at 
t  the  trading  post 
;lts  have  been  col- 
le  state  of  the  fur 
nstant,  and  are  $30 
s  paid  for  in  cash, 


THH    VU''')N    DlSlRICr, 


75 


CANADA'S    (.Kl-  \l'    i.i>l.l'    111.11'. 


for 


riu-ir  i.n.cN  inv  «.hhU  ...  lS^;  werv  urn  rsorl-itaiU.  v.-t  Wn-u-  niji>t  hav  I-.'.mi  a 
fa,.-  ,..nr.t.  Tl.ev  were  :  H-mr.  $i  7.50  prr  h...ulre.l  |.....i..l>  ;  l.a.  m,.  S40  |ut  In.... I.^e,l  ; 
bra.  N  $.H  IHM-  1K..1U-1  ;  M.-.a,'.  S,,o  luT  [......ircd.  a.i.i  tc-a,$...'5  P'T  !...i...cl.      1  "tl    nt 

tluMn.M.-.tamH  t,n.,,  li.r  (\ml.nu  u,.l.|  tWl.ls  ..HU.t.sh  0.h....lMa   a...l  .Irv  n^^ 
R.vtM-  to   tl.c    Ma.kr../ir.      Ilr  wei.t  .low,,  ll.r  latt.,-  ..ver  a...l    ,.|.  tlu-    I  eel    wl.c,,.  .• 
he  ..-..ssed   I',   the  wateis  of  ti. :   l'...TUl).ne.  whi.  h   lie  .les.  eiule.l  to  the  \  uk..„  ;  hr 
then  w.Mil  111.  the  latter  to  White  Kiver.  where  he  \v...tcre.l. 

Mr    \l.  «  )i.e-te.i  la.iie  i.i  at  llie  same  time  by  w  .y  of   Peace   River,  tra.l,..; 
short  t.m-  a.r..„,.l  Lake  .Xthal.as.  a  hefore  he  lies.en.le.l  the  Ma(kc.,/,e. 

■n.e  pri.ieii.al  furs  pronire.i  ...  the  d.^tr,.  t  a.e  the  s,lver-«ray  a,ul  l-lai  k  ins,  l.r 
,u,mber  of  wh,c'h  hears  a  greater  ratio  to  the  „.,ml.er  of  red  t-.xes  tha,.  .,1  a.iv  .'tlu;. 
part  of  the  <  ...mtrv.  Tlie  red  fo.v  is  very  e..mmo,i,  a.ul  a  speeies  ealle.l  the  1. U.e  is 
!,h,..,.la..l  near  the  coast.  Ma,te„.or  sai)le.  aie  also  numerous,  as  are  lynx  :  hut  .'tier 
ai-e  scarce,  a. 1.1  beaver  al.nosl  I. ..kii..wn.  .,     ,     ,         ,  ■       .  ",  ,      ,■,.,,. 

It  is  pi-ol.al.le  that  the  vah.e  of  the  irray  an.!  bla.  k  fos  skins  taken  01.  ol  the 
,„Mntrv  more  than  e.iiwds  in  value  all  the  other  furs  1  .  .-ul.l  «et  .,0  statistics  con- 
(erninLf  this  tra.le  for  obvious  reasons.  .  ,.   ■     c     , 

dame  is  ,„,.  now  as  abu.uia..i  as  before  mining  beKa.i.  and  it  is  d.fhcult.  m  fact 
im.x.ss.ble.  to  (.ft  a,.v  <lose  to  the  river.  The  Ind.a.is  have  to  as.  end  the  tributa.y 
sf'eams  te.\  t..  twe.Uy  miles  to  «et  anythi.i,  -.rth  ko..,k  after.  He,-e  on  the  upa.uK 
vast  herds  of  carib.m*  still  wander,  and  when  the  Ind.ans  en.ounter  a  I  e.d  hey 
allow  verv  few  t..  escape,  even  tl,..u«h  they  . I.,  not  re-pmc  the  meat.  When  they 
h  ive  i.len'tv  thev  a.e  not  at  all  |i,ov,dent.  a.i.l  c.mse.iuentlv  are  often  m  waiit  whe.. 
Ka.ne  .s  scaire. '  'I'hey  often  k.ll  anin.als  which  they  k.u.w  are  so  po..r  as  to  be  use- 
less for  food,  just  f.)r'the  love  of  slaughter.  ,  ,  1  ,„  ,,. 
\n  Indian  who  was  with  me  one  day  saw  two  car.bou  pass.n^  and  vvanttd  .nc  to 
sho.^i  the.n.  I  exi.lained  to  him  that  we  had  plenty,  and  that  I  w.u.l.l  not  dest,oy 
ihem  uselesslv.  b.,t  this  dni  not  acc.nl  with  his  ideas.  He  felt  displeased  because  1 
did  not  kill  tliem  mvself  or  lend  h„n  my  rifle  for  the  i)urpose  and  remarke.l  ...  as 
ir.iod  Knijlish  as  he'coidd  comma.. d  :  "  1  like  to  k.ll  whe.iever  I  see  it. 

S..nte  vears  ayo  moose  were  very  numerous  alonji  the  r,ver  but  .i..w  they  are 

verv  seldom  ste.i,  exce|)t  at   some  distance  back  fn.m   ,t.      Kar ly  m   t  le   winter  of 

iSS-cSHthe  Ind.a.is  remained  around  the  mineiV  camps,  and  subs.sted  by  beK«m« 

u.u.l  all  further  charity  was  ."efused.     Kve,.  this  f.)r  some  time  d,d  not  st,r  them,  and 

,1  was  not  until  near  Cln-istmas   that   sheer   hunger  d.-..ve   them   oil    to   hunt.     One 

nartv  went  up  the  Tatonduc  s.jme  lUteen  or  twenty  nules   and  m  a  shor    t.me  was 

?v  .  ling  in  game,  especially  caribou.     The  .nher  party  d.d  not  succeecl  f..r  some 

mie  ni  getti.ui  a.ivth.ng.  altlmugh  a  large  district  w.is  searched  over,  but  l.nally  went 

up  Coal  Creek  about  twenty  miles,  and  there  killed  eighteen  moose   in  one  day. 

Thev  brought  i.t  two  thousand  pounds  ..f  the  meat  to  the  post,  and  sold   it   for    en 

cent's  per  pound  t.)  the  miners,  with  whom  it  was  m  great  demand  on  account  of  the 

nrevalence  of  scurvv  in  the  camp.  .  ,■....     1         .1 

A  boom  i.i  mining  would  soon  e.Kterminate  the  game  in  the  district  along  the 

'""The  orduiary  caribou  runs  in  he.-ds.  often  numbering  hundreds.  It  is  easily 
approached,  and,  when  fired  at,  jumps  aiound  awhile  as  though  undecided  what  to 
do',  it  then  ru.is  a  short  distance,  but  just  as  likely  towards  the  hunter  as  from  nut, 
sl..ps  again,  and  so  on  for  a  number  of  times.  At  last,  after  ma.iy  of  them  have 
been  killed  the  remainder  start  on  a  continuous  run.  and  probably  do  not  stop  u,U,l 
lev  have  covere.l  twentv  or  thirtv  miles.  When  the  Ind.a.is  hnd  a  herd  they  sur- 
round  it  gradually  co.Ur'acting  the  circle  thus  formed,  when  the  animals,  bemg  too 
timid  to  escape  bv  a  sudden  Tush,  aie  slaughtered  wholesale. 

There  a.e  four  s.iecies  of  liear  found  m  the  district  — the  gri/./.ly,  brown,  back, 
and  a  small  kind,  locally  known  as  the  "silver-tip."  the  latter  being  gray  m  colour 
w.  ha  white  throat  and  beard,  whence  its  name.     It  is  said  to  be  fierce,  and  does 


■  There  svere  no  caribou  in  tins  locality  lust  year. 


ii>t   li.iVf  lii'cii  a 

ji43  \tfv  luiiulred  ; 
iiiiiiiil  Itiitli  III 
I  l,ii|it'r  crn>.>.iii'4 

Ic^i  ciiiliiin  I.ianI 
If   I'eel.  wlifiii  i" 

)  tlR'  ^  ukoii  ;  111.' 

er,  trailin:^   for  a 

\/.\v. 

Ill  lilai  k  fiix,  tlic 

Kill  ill  any  ntluT 

;illf(l    tlu-    lillli'    is 

e  lyn\  ;  luit  dttci 

taken  out   nl   the 
no  statistic  (mi 

s  (lifticiilt,  in  fact 
cnil  tlic  tributary 
re  on  tlie  uplaiuK 
uiitfr  a  iuM'd  tlu-y 
•at.  U'luMi  tlu-\- 
tfii  in  want  when 
oor  as  to  be  usc- 

and  .vanted  nic  to 
ivoiiid  not  destroy 
j)ie.isi-d  because  I 
d  remarked  in  as 
;  it." 

but  now  they  are 
■  in  tlie  winter  of 
sisted  l)y  bejj;^in« 
not  stir  them,  and 
)lf  to  lumt.  ( »ne 
a  short  time  was 
sueeeeil  for  some 
.•r,  l)Ut  tinally  went 
loose  in  one  day. 
nd  sold  it  for  ten 
on  account  of  the 

district  ahing  tlie 

Ireds.  It  is  easily 
.indecided  what  to 
.inter  as  from  him, 
any  of  them  have 
•  do  not  stoj)  until 
d  a  herd  they  snr- 
animals,  being  too 

z/.ly,  brown,  black, 
ng  gray  in  colour, 
be  fierce,  and  does 


■Iliy',    VlKoN    IHs'lKIcr. 


77 


Animiil  Remains  fouinl  in  "the  I'ay-Slreak  on  Dnnan/a  ami  I'.Mniailo  Creek 
■  if   WiHicl  f,  iiiiiil  12  Feet  liel.iw  the  Surface  on  IJiiiali/a  Creek 


anl  Sic'iina 


m 


i 


K 


78 


CANADA'S    C.REAT   C.OF.I)    MELD. 


not  wait  to  be  attacked,  l)ut  to  attack  on  sight.  I  liad  not  the  pleasure  of  seeing 
any,  but  heard  many  "yarns"  about  them,  some  of  whicli,  I  think,  were  "hunters' 
tak'S."  It  appears,  however,  that  miners  and  Indians,  unless  travelling  in  numbers, 
or  especially  well  armed,  give  them  as  wide  a  berth  as  they  conveniently  can. 

Wolves  are  not  plentiful.  A  few  of  the  common  gray  species  only  are  killed, 
the  black  being  very  .scarce. 

The  arctic  rabbit  or  hare  is  sometimes  fou..'  but  they  are  not  numerous. 
There  is  a  curious  fact  in  connection  with  the  ordinary  haie  or  rabbit  which  I  have 
observed,  but  of  which  I  liave  never  yet  seen  any  satisfactory  e.xplanatiop.  Their 
numbers  vary  from  a  very  few  to  myriads,  in  periods  of  seven  years.  For  about 
three  years  one  may  travel  for  days  without  seeing  more  than  a  sign  ot  them  ;  then 
for  two  years  they  are  nunrerous,  and  increase  for  two  years  more,  until  finally  the 
country  is  alive  with  them,  when  they  begin  to  disappear,  and  in  a  few  months  there 
are  r  jne  to  be  seen.  If  it  is  an  epidemic  that  carries  them  off,  it  is  strange  that 
their  carcasses  are  never  observed  in  any  number. 

It  appears  the  martens  are  also  subject  to  a  periodical  increase  and  decrease, 
and  In  this  case  a  satisfactory  explanation  of  the  cause  is  also  wanting. 

The  mountain  sheep  (Big  Horn)  and  mountain  goat  exist  everywhere  in  the  ter- 
ritory ;  but,  as  they  generally  frequent  the  sides  of  the  highest  mouncains,  they  arc 
seldom  seen  from  the  river.  There  i';  a  beautiful  species  of  pure  white  Big  Horn 
found  in  the  mountains  on  the  head  of  Coal  Creek,  and  presumedly  elsewhere  in 
that  region. 

Birds  are  scarce.  A  few  ravens  were  seen  along  the  river,  and  three  or  four 
remained  in  the  vicinity  of  the  boundary  all  winter.  They  were  generally  more  active 
and  noisy  on  stormy  days  than  at  other  times,  and  their  hoarse  croak  had  a  dismal 
sound  amid  the  roar  of  the  elements. 

A  few  magpies  were  seen  near  No-'denskiold  River,  and  a  few  whitf-headed 
jagles  \verc  also  noticed. 

Daring  the  winter,  near  the  boundary,  numbers  of  small  birds,  somewhat 
resembling  the  "chick-adee,"  were  seen,  but  they  were  much  larger  and  had  not 
the  same  note.  Oi  owls,  not  a  specimen  was  met  with  anywhere.  Partridges 
were  very  scarce,  only  half  a  doztn  or  so  of  the  ordinary  kind  being  noticed  ;  but 
at  the  head  of  the  Tatonduc  and  Porcupine,  ptarmigan  were  abundant.  Wild 
geese  and  ducks  are  plentiful  in  their  season,  and  of  ducks  there  are  many  more 
species  than  I  have  soen  in  any  other  part  of  the  territory.  Most  of  these  were 
observed  on  the  head  of  the  Porcupine  ;  but,  having  no  means  of  preserving  the 
skins,  1  had  to  come  away  without  specimens.  A  very  beautiful  species  of  loon  or 
diver  was  met  with  on  the  Porcupine.  It  is  smaller  than  the  great  northern  diver, 
but  marked  much  the  same  on  the  body,  the  difference  being  principally  in  the  head 
and  neck  —  the  bill  is  sharper  and  finer  and  the  head  smaller  :  but  its  chief  distin- 
guishing feature  is  the  neck,  which  is  covered  with  long,  beautiful  dun-coloured 
down  for  more  than  half  its  length  from  the  head  downwards.  I  tried  to  kill  one 
so  as  to  get  the  skin  as  a  specimen,  but  after  I  had  fired  three  t  nes  at  close  range 
with  heavy  shot  it  seemed  as  lively  as  if  I  had  not  fired  at  all.  I  then  killed  it  with 
my  rifle,  but  the  bullet  so  tore  and  nangled  the  skin  that  it  was  useless. 

With  the  exception  of  a  sni  I  species,  locally  called  the  arctic  trout,  fish  are 
not  numerous  in  the  district.  Schwatka  calls  this  trout  the  grayling,  but  from  the 
descriptions  and  drawings  of  that  fiih  which  1  have  seen  this  is  a  diffeient  fish.  It 
seldom  exceetls  ten  inches  in  length,  and  has  fins  very  large  for  its  size,  which  gave 
it,  when  in  motion,  the  appearance  of  having  wings.  Its  dorsal  fin  is  very  large, 
being  fully  half  the  length  of  the  bod\',  and  very  liigh.  It  is  of  a  l)rt)wnish  gray 
colour  on  the  back  and  sides,  and  lighter  on  the  belly.  It  is  found  in  large  num- 
bers in  the  upoer  part  of  the  river,  especially  where  the  current  is  swift,  ami  takes 
any  kind  of  bait  greetlily.  The  llesh  is  somewhat  soft  and  not  very  j/alatable. 
Lake  trout  are  car.g.ii;  in  the  lakes,  but,  as  far  as  I  saw,  are  not  numerous  nor  oi 
large  size.  They  take  a  troll  bait  .eadily,  and  a  few  were  caught  in  that  way  com- 
'ng  tlown  the  lakes,  but  the  largest  did  not  weigh  more  than  six  or  seven  pounds. 
Salmon  came  up,  I  was  assured  by  several  Indians,  natives  of  the  district,  as  far  as 


T* 


pleasure  of  seeing 

nk,  were  "  hunters' 

veiling  in  numbers, 

eniently  can. 

ies  only  are  killed, 

are  not  numerous, 
abhit  which  I  have 
■xplanatior.  Their 
years.  For  about 
sign  o<  them  ;  then 
>re,  until  finally  the 
a  few  months  there 
ff,  it  is  strange  that 

rease  and  decrease, 
anting. 

•erywhere  in  the  ter- 
mouniains,  they  arc 
)ure  white  Big  Horn 
umedly  elsewhere  in 

r,  and  three  or  four 

jeneraliy  more  active 

croak  had  a  dismal 

;'   few  white-headed 

ill    birds,   .somewhat 

larger  and  had  not 
nywhere.  Partridges 
id  being  noticed  ;  but 
ere  abundant.  Wild 
:here  are  many  more 
Most  of  these  were 
ms  of  preserving  the 
ul  species  of  loon  or 
great  northern  diver, 
rincipally  in  the  head 

:  but  its  chief  distin- 
u.iutiful  dun-coloured 
Is.  I  tried  to  kill  one 
times  at  close  range 
I  then  killed  it  witii 
s  useless. 

arctic  tri)ut,  fish  are 
rayling,  but  from  the 
is  a  diffeient  fisli.  It 
r  its  size,  which  gave 
)rsal  fin  is  very  large, 
is  of  a  brownisli  gray 

found  in  large  num- 
eiit  is  swift,  anil  takes 
1    not   very    palatable. 

not  numerous  nor  of 
gilt  in  that  way  com- 
1  six  or  seven  [lountls. 

the  district,  as  far  as 


THK    YUKON    DISTRICT 


79 


Lake  Labarge,  and  are  never  found  above  it,  i)ut  Dr.  Dawson  reports  their  dead 
bodies  along  the  river  for  some  miles  above  tlie  cafion.  1  mention  this  to  show  the 
unreliability  of  information  received  from  tlie  natives,  who  frecjuently  neither  under- 
stand nor  are  understood. 

On  the  way  down  salmon  were  first  seen  twenty  or  twenty-five  miles  above  Five 
Finger  Rapids.  One  can  ea.sily  trace  their  passage  through  the  water  by  the  slight 
ripple  they  n  ake  on  the  surface,  and,  with  care,  tl.ey  can  be  taken  by  gently  placing 
a  scoop  net  in  their  wny  and  lifting  them  out  when  they  enter  it.  .After  coming  up 
the  river  two  thousand  miles  they  are  poor,  and  would  not  realize  much  in  the 
market.  At  the  boundary,  in  the  early  winter  months,  the  Indians  caught  some 
that  were  frozen  in  on  sinall  stream.s,  and  fed  them  to  their  dogs.  Some  of  these  I 
saw  ;  they  were  poor  and  spent. 

I  h.ad  very  little  opportunity  to  learn  anything  of  the  language,  manners,  cus- 
toms or  religion  of  the  natives  on  my  way  through  their  country,  my  time  with  them 
being  so  short,  and  none  of  the  whites  whom  I  met  in  the  district  seemed  to  pos- 
sess any  information  upon  which  I  could  draw.  I  got  a  few  items,  but  as  they 
may  or  may  not  be  facts,  I  shall  not  report  them.  The  statements  of  everyone  I 
met,  however,  pretty  well  establish  that  by  one  of  their  laws  inheritance  is  through 
the  mother. 

Since  the  foregoing  was  originally  written,  numerous  and  important  changes 
have  v)ccurred  in  the  Y'ukon  District.  In  those  days  the  administration  of  law  was 
entirely  in  the  hands  of  the  miners  themselves,  being  dispensed  by  meetings  at 
which  all  curious  or  interested  attended,  and  all  had  a  vote  in  the  decisior.  c.  adjust- 
ment. In  the  main  the  parties  meant  well,  but  often  queer  views  were  taken,  and  it 
might  be  said  that  a  man  who  was  personally  unpopular  fared  badly,  and  that,  too, 
without  the.  parties  who  decided  feeling  that  they  had  gone  the  least  bit  astray. 
Nothing  else  could  be  expected  as  this  is  human  nature  the  world  over. 


NO'  =■  from  PhoU'.  by  W.  0:^il:ie. 

Mine  Dumps  cm  Claims  Nos.  i  and  2  I-'ldoiailo. —  Kircs  l)urning  on  No.  2. 


8o 


CANADA'S    (IREAT    GOLD    FIKI.D. 


Wheel  on  Bonanza  Crock  to  raise  water  for  sluicing. 

standinj;  on  frame. 


fiom  /'holo,  hy  11'.  O^'ilvie. 
■  Skookim  Jim,  an  Indian, 


Now  the  Canadian  Clovernnient  has  a  properly  organized  staff  of  officers  resi- 
dent in  tlie  country  to  attend  to  all  matters  pertaining  to  the  proper  administrat  on 
of  justice  without  favour  to  any,  and  we  may  unhesitatingly  take  up  our  ab  )de  thtre, 
looking  to  as  mucii  protection  for  life  and  property  as  in  any  other  part  of  ;he 
continent. 

In  assurance  of  this  tiie  following  statement  is  made  : 


TIIK   C.OVKKNMKM    >)V   TllK   VLKON    TKKKITOKV. 

The  (lovernment  of  Canada  has  defined  that  portion  of  the  Xorth-wesc  Terri- 
tories, which  is  to  be  officially  known  as  "The  Yukon  Territory,"  anil  has  or-n'ided 
for  it  an  or^a^iized  government.  This  Territory  is  bounded  on  t.,e  soutli  by  the 
6oth  parallel  of  latituile,  on  the  east  by  the  watershed  between  the  basins  of  the 
Yukon  and  Mackenzie  Rivers,  and  on  tlie  west  by  the  141st  meridian  west  i>i  lireen- 
wicii  or  the  International  Houndary  line,  and  on  the  north  by  the  waters  i.f  the 
.\rctic  Ocean. 

All  ^«  ath  of  the  60th  parallel  of  latitude  is  in  the  Province  of  British  Columbia, 
except  tlie  coast  strip  of  Alaska,  known  as  "South-eastern  .Maska,"  and  law  will  no 
doubt  be  administered  there  by  the  government  of  that  Province. 

This,  of  course,  differs  from  the  ordinary  machinery  of  (lovernment  in  Canada, 
but  is  just  what  is  reipiired  at  present  and  for  the  next  few  years. 

The  chief  official  is  known  as  the  "  Commissioner  of  tlie  Yukon  Territory."  All 
the  Goverinnent  officials,  with  the  exception  of  tiie  Judge  of  the  Supt-erue  Court,  are 
under  his  control,  and  any  one  of  them  may  be  sus])ended  by  hi'n  for  cause.  The 
detachment  of  Xortti-west  Mountetl  Police  stationed  in  the  \'ukon  Territory  is  under 
his  orders,  and  he  is  given  ample  powers  to  enable  him  to  meet  any  difficulty  that 
may  arise,  without  having  to  \.ait  for  authority  from  Ottawa.     This  Officpi-  reports 


out  Photo,  by  It'.  (\.;iH<: 
m,  an  Indian, 


:;taff  of  ofticeis  resi- 

roper  administiaiDn 

up  our  ab  >de  t  lit  re, 

y  other  pan  of  rhe 


ORY. 

he  North-west  Terri- 
,-,•'  and  ha>  or-vided 
on  t..e  soutli  by  the 
!en  the  basuis  of  liie 
ridian  west  (<i  ilreen- 
)y  the  waters  i-f  the 

of  British  Columbia, 

ska,"  and  law  will  no 

:e. 

:)vernment  in  Canada, 

All 


rs. 

ukon  M'erritory." 

le  Supreme  Court,  are 

•  him  for  cause.     The 

kon  Territory  is  under 

eet  any  difficulty  that 

.     This  Officf'r  rejiorts 


THE   YUKON    DISTRICT 


8i 


tre(|ut'ntly  to  tiu'  Minister  of  the  Interior,  and  the  (lovernnient  is  thereby  kept  fully 
informed  concerninjj  everythinj^  that  is  transpiring  in  tiie  Territory. 

There  is  a  judRe  for  the  Territory.  That  is  to  say.  one  of  the  Ji!dj;es  of  tiie 
Supreme  Court  of  the  Nortli-west  'i'erntories  has  been  sent  to  administer  the  ordi- 
nary laws  of  C?;    da  and  the  North-west  Territories  In  the  Yukon  District. 

A  Gold  Commissioner  has  been  sent  up  to  the  headcpiarters  of  the  'i'erritory.  His 
duties  are  in  relation  to  the  granlmjii;  of  inininj>  claims,  titles,  permits  for  ciittin;;;  tim- 
ber on  Clovernment  lands  ami  the  settlement  of  disputes  between  contlictiuir  claim- 
ants.    He  is  an  officer  of  the  l)c'i>artment  of  the  Interior. 

The  Registrar  of  the  "  Yukon  Lands  Registrar  District  "  is  a  lawyer  whose  duties 
combine  clerkship  of  the  Court  and  the  registration  of  titles. 

There  are  four  Land  Surveyors  actnig  under  the  instructions  of  the  Ciold  Com- 
missioner, and,  like  him,  they  are  officers  of  the  Department  of  tiie  Interior. 

There  are  also  a  number  of  Customs  Officers  stationed  at  various  iioinis  along 
the  lines  of  entry  into  the  Yukon  Territory,  and  there  is  a  force  of  Mounted  Police 
at  present  numbering  loo,  but  will  immediately  be  increased  to  250. 

The  Mail  Service  of  the  Territory  is  ])ertormed  at  pr'  sent  by  the  Mounted 
Police.  A  monthly  mad  is  despatciicd  each  way,  /.  f.,  between  the  Coast  and  the 
Interior. 

Police  Stations  are  to  be  established  in  the  Spring  on  the  Stikeen  Rivt-i,  on  the 
Dalton  Trail,  at  the  Junction  of  the  White  and  Dyea  Passes,  at  Tagish  Lake,  at  the 
\Vhite  Horse  Rapids,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Hootalinqua  River,  at  Selkirk,  Dawson 
and  Cudahy,  and  patrols  will  traverse  the  country  between  these  points,  so  law  and 
order  will  be  pre.served  at  all  jjoints  throughout  the  country  where  miners  may  have 
established  themselves. 


«2 


CANADA'S    C.RKAT    GOLD    FIELD 


SUiicii 


From  niioto.  hy  W.  Ogilvie. 
1,        ,,.  (•r,.Hlc  -  Claim  No    2  l)eli)w  Discovery  an.l  Showing  Mode  of 

■  "■  w^^i::;^ c;;:i  ^  :;:i.  pomt  *8.ooo  we^^  ..v..  out  of  a 

Hole  14  Fee;  Wide  and  24  l-eet  l.oti:;. 


MORE  RECENT  DISCOVERIES. 


Facts  and  Information,  with  Advice,  Suggestions, 

Etc.,  Etc. 


-<s»5-».*®>- 


.«^ 


■t0f)^'ii0^ 


t  Photo,  hy  W.  Ogilvie. 

lowing  Mode  of 
of  a 


Some  of  the  earliest  efforts  of  mining  in  the  Yui<on  District  were  made  by  some 
British  Columbia  miners  who  endeavoured  to  reach  the  southern  part  of  the  Yukon 
watershed  from  the  Cassaii  District  of  British  Columl)ia.  These  efforts  were,  how- 
ever, not  successful  from  a  miner's  point  of  view,  nothing  came  of  them. 

In  1873  ^fr.  Arthur  Harper,  Frederick  Hart,  Samuel  Wilkinson,  deorge  W.  Finch, 
and  Andrew  Kansellar,  left  British  Columbia  to  prospect  the  I.iard,  Mackenzie, 
Porcupine  and  Yukon.  They  made  their  way  from  Peace  River  in  the  vicinity  of 
Fort  St.  John  to  the  head  waters  of  a  stream  known  as  the  Nelson,  an  affluent  of  the 
Liard,  down  which  they  went  in  the  winter  and  early  spring  months  to  a  point  where 
they  considered  it  feasible  for  canoe  navigation.  As  soon  as  the  river  opened  they 
started  in  their  dug-out  canoes,  prospecting  as  they  went,  the  result  of  Harper's 
prospecting  being,  as  he  summed  it  up  to  me,  "  nothing  on  the  Nelson,  prospects  on 
the  Liard,  nothing  on  the  Mackenzie,  good  orospects  on  the  Peel,  some  on  the 
Porcupine,  and  prospects  everywhere  on  the  Yukon."  In  the  fall  they  made  their 
way  from  Fort  Yukon,  at  th^^  mouth  of  the  Porcupine,  up  to  White  River,  about  400 
miles,  where  they  remained  during  the  winter  prospecting  the  White,  and  the  streams 
in  its  vicinity.  Finding  nothing  sufficient  to  pay  them  for  their  trouble,  and  provis- 
ions being  very  scarce,  they  in  the  spring  returned  down  the  river,  making  their  way 
to  St.  Michaels,  where  some  of  them  entered  the  service  of  the  Alaska  Commercial 
Company,  then  trading  in  the  Yukon  Valley. 

In  the  fall  of  1874  Fort  Reliance  was  erected  by  Leroy  Napoleon  NIcQuesten, 
and  the  next  summer  —  that  is,  the  summer  of  1875  —  Harper  joined  him  in  partner- 
ship, and  they  continued  to  trade  in  partnership  until  1889.  Through  Harper's  cor- 
respondence some  British  Columbia  miners  came  into  the  country  prospecting,  and  in 
the  early  eighties  prospecting  in  that  country  was  begun  in  earnest,  and  in  the  last 
half  of  that  deciide  a  fair  amount  of  success  was  achieved,  especially  on  the  Stewart 
River.  The  gold  found  upon  these  rivers  is  line  gold  and  requires  the  use  of  mercury 
for  its  separation  from  the  sand,  and  although  it  was  found  in  paying  quantities  — 
as  high  as  $100  per  day  being  made  in  some  instances  —  fine  gold  never  satisfied 
the  old  miners  and  prospectors.  This  caused  a  continuous  search  for  coarse  gold, 
and  ir  was  found  in  1886  on  the  Fortymile  River,  about  23^^  miles  above  the  mouth, 
or  a  few  hundred  yards  above  the  International  Boundary  Line.  This  directed  the 
attention  of  the  miners  in  the  district  of  Fortymile,  and  it  continued  to  be  the  field  of 
prospecting  and  exploration  until  1891,  when  coarse  gold  was  found  on  the  head  of 
Birch  Creek,  below  the  International  Boundary  Line.  The  existence  of  coarse  gold 
was  known  in  this  district  as  early  as  1864,  for  in  a  letter  dated  "Fort  Yukon,  2nd 
October,  1864,"  written  by  a  clerk  in  the  service  of  the  Hudson  Bay  Company  at 
that  post,  to  his  father  in  Ontario,  it  is  stated  :  — 

"  I  had  some  thoufjhts  of  digging  the  gold  here,  l)ut  am  not  sure  about  it.  I  do  not  think  it  is  in 
paying  quantities  at  the  Fort,  but  if  I  could  only  get  time  to  make  an  expedition  up  the  Yukon,  I  expect 
we  should  find  it  in  abundance,  but  I  am  always  on  the  voyage  or  busy  at  the  Fort  during  the  summer, 
antl  in  the  winter  nothing  can  be  done  in  the  way  of  gold  hunting.  I  think  that  next  fall,  after  arriving 
from   my  trip  down  the  Yukon,    I  shall  be  able  to  go  up  the  river.     Tiiere  is  a  small  river  not  far 


83 


84 


CANADA'S    (iRE.Vr    liOl.D    MKl-l). 


from  here  that  the  minister,  the  Kcv.l.  McD.mal.l.  saw  so  much  i;ol.l  "n  a  year  „r  two  .i;,.  that 
h  To  [7hrvt\-.t'are  ,t\ith  a  s,,.„.n.  1  have  nOen  wisht-l  f.  j;-.  but  can  never  In.,!  the  t.m.. 
slu.ul.l  1  Irn'r^oM  in  ,'.;."«  M>-..iUes  I  n,ay  turn  ,ol.l  .li.-^er.  but  this  ,s  nunly  a  last  u..l,  .oh,n 
J  mil  Jo  lie  Idlif.'^ 

It  was  niai.ilv  through  the  direction  of  the  Canadian  Missionary,  the  Vfnfral)le 
Arch.lcaion  McDonald,  above  mentioned,  that  this  liehl  was  oi)enfd. 

These  two  points,  Fortvmile  and  Circle  c:ity,  div.ded  between  them   the  atten- 
tion of  all  the  miners  in  the  conntry  up  t.nt.l    .SgO   wijen   the  d.srovery  ot    I"'";;';f;^ 
and   Kidorado   was   ntade   bv   George  W.  Cannaek   tlirouuh   the  ad y.ce  of    Ko„e 
H  .ulerso.,.  a,t  ol.l  tnnier,  who  hatl  been  prospeeUn^  on  the   Indta.t    R.ver  atu      .old 
Bottom  Creek  V'allevs,  and  InulinK  Carmaek   f.shtn^  at  the  jnonth  of  the   ul..   d  ke 
described  to   itim   the  riches  of  Cold  Bottom  a.ul  atlvise.    him  to  try    t.     Ca,  mack 
id  so  but  was  not  satisfied,  and   on  his  return  tr.p  tned  the  creek  known  to    he 
tuliSns  as  Tha-tat-dik,  or,  in  Kngl.sh.  Muffler  Creek,  stnce  namec    Bonan/.a  by  the 
iners      On   this,  on  the  claim  now  known  as  "  Discovery  Cla.m,    he  fmnu    «..od 
spects.  and   s take.l  claints  for   himself  and   Indian  associates,  which  led   to     he 
eely    taking  ..f  the  wht.le  creek  and  its  branches  and  gulches.     As  soon  as  the 
iason  permitted  these  two  creeks  were  thoroughly  prospected  and  developed,  and 
mi       to  i  e  so  rich  that  the  term  applied  to  that  dist.ict.  "  klondike,    is  now  k.towi 
•e     1  e  whole  world.     I'rospecting  has  gone  on  in  that  region  to  such  att   extent 
that  there  are   now  numerous  other  creeks   known  and  partially  devtdoped   there, 
il  1      Dominion,  Sul,.hur,  and  Quartz  Creeks,  affluents  of  Indian  Creek,  which 
Tw      nto  r  Yukon  some  25  or  .8  miles  above  Klondike.      Recent  reports    rom 
hese  creeks  confirm  their  value,  and  on  one  of  them  as  high  as  $9  per  pan  has  been 
f  und      ( )f  course,  that  is  an  exceptionally  rich  pan,  but  it  a,n>ears  from   he  rumutirs 
wS  have  lately  come  out  that  they  are  rich  and  extensive -it  is  alleged  betng 
M-me  20  mile'  each  in  length.     This,  I  think,  may  safely  be  cut  in  two.  as  miners 

"""  ::;:,S"o;he;' ?;Ss  have  been   prospected,  flowing  directly   into  the   Yukon 
between  Klondike  and  Indian,  and  rumour  says  they  are  good      One  creek,  kn<.wn 
as  Mooseskin  Creek,  which  flows  into  the  Yukon  about  i/.  miles  ^f^^^^"^^^ 
reported  good.     Rumour  asserts  that  from  four  to  six  feet  in  depth  of  P-^v  d'  t  las 
been  found,  but  no  definite  width  had  then  bee.i  determined,  ranging  from  eight   8)  o, 
Sr  10)  ce.  ts  per  nan  to  as  high  as  eighty  (80)  cents.     With  this  depth  and  .k-  mes 
and  a  reasonable  width,  say  from  forty  (40)  feet  upwards,  this  creek  is  good  e,  oug 
U     -ink  with  the  best.     How  much  of  it  is  gold  bearing  is  not  yet  determined.     1.^ 
V  opinh  n  .  ot  more  than  a  few  miles  at  the  mouth  will  be  found  so.    It  comes 
t  o    a  ran.re  of  high  limestone  mountains  which  are  of  such  recent  geological  foi- 
mat ion  as  to  preclude  the  idea  of  gold  being  found  in  thenj.     Indian  C  reek   ts  prac- 
tically unexplored  as  vet.     A  few  miles  of  the  mam  creek  have  been  prospec  ed  and 
gold  found  in  the  sand,  but  with  the  exception  of  the  three  creeks  mentioned  -  Do- 
minion, Sulphur  and  Quartz-  I  do  not  know  of  any  «^'--,f-;';«J;f.^^,/\\;;'  ^^  ^ 
which  How  into  it.     It  is  highly  improbable  that  no  more  will  be  found  in  the  \ alley 
of  that  stream,  and  special  attention  is  invited  to  this  creek.  „   ,    \  ..        ,    „ 

.ts  we  proceed  up  the  Yukon,  or  Pelly.  as  named  by  the  late  Rober   Camp  -ell 
of  the  Hudson  P,av  Company's  service,  other  creeks  join  the  Yukon  at  short  m  ei- 
•als  ma.  them  of  considerable  extent,  and  I  have  no  doubt  but  that  they  w.l   be 

fotSd  to  vield  mu:h  encouragement  to  the  prospector.  Last  June  (1S97)  Robert 
He  le  son.  before  mentioned,  discovered  a  new  creek  said  to  be  40  m.les  in  lengthy 
whicl  joins  the  Yukon  from  the  east  some  2/.  miles  below  Stewart,  bor  a  few  days 
here  was  cjuite  an  excitement  concerning  this  creek,  gold  having  been  found  at  sev- 
er' pohUs'  on  it  in  paying  quantities  in  the  surface  grave  ,  but  the  excitemen 
ilmost  as  suddenly  as  it  arose,  and  the  creek  was  practically  abandoned.  Why  his 
waTl  never  coukUearn,  as  only  a  few  prospectors'  holes  had  been  putcunvt.  when 
the  bulk  of  prospectors  abandoned  it  in  disgust,  and  returned  to  Dawson  t  n  a> 
yet  be  found  well  worthy  of  attention,  in  fact,  many  creeks  >n  the  d.str.c  lae 
been  prospected  bv  two  or  three  different  parties,  abandoned,  and  finally  found  to  be 
good     As  an  instance  of  this  we  may  cite  Miller  Creek  on  the  upper  waters  of  Mxtx  - 


r   iHii  ,ii;ii,    tli;it 

I'lnii    tliL-    tiitx'. 

'  List  It  SOI/,  loluii 


the  VeiRTahle 

em  the  atten- 
•y  of  r>i>n.m/,a 
ice  of  Ro'ocrl 
iver  and   (lolii 

tlie  ulomlike 
^  it.  Carmack 
c  known  to  tht 
{onaii/.a  by  llie 
he  found  i;')oc! 
licli  led  to  the 
IS  soon  as  the 
developed,  and 

is  now  known 
aich  an  extent 
iveloped  there, 
n  Creek,  wliich 
nt  reports  from 
;r  pan  has  been 
)m  tiie  rumours 
,s  allegeil  l)fing 
two,  as  miners' 

nto  the  \'ukon 
le  creek,  known 
slow  Dawson,  is 

of  pay  dirt  has 
■fom  eisjlu  (8)  or 
pth  and  ricliness 

is  jjood  enough 
determined.  In 
d  so.  It  comes 
t  geological  for- 
1  Creek  is  prac- 
i  prospected  and 
lentioned  —  Do- 
been  prospected 
ind  in  tiie  valley 

Robert  Cani|)l>ell 
1  at  short  inter- 
that  they  will  be 
le  (1S97)  Robert 
>  miles  in  length, 
For  a  few  days 
;en  found  at  sev- 
e  excitement  fell 
loned.  Why  this 
put  down  when 
Dawson.  It  may 
the  district  have 
nally  found  to  be 
r  waters  of  Sixty- 


rilK     NIKON    DISIKU   r. 


•\') 


Mde,  This  creek  was  pretty  well  prospected  by  two  dilterent  parties  two  iluiercnt 
seasons,  and  abamloned.  I'he  third  party,  however,  struck  pay,  and  it  |)roved  to  be 
the  richest  creek  known  in  that  country  until  the  discoverv  of  Itonanza  and  Kldo- 
rado,  so  that  from  this  we  may  predict  some  hope  for  lleiuler^oii  Creek  \ct, 

Stewart  River  itself  is  a  stream  from  100  to  200  yards  in  width,  and  it  is  said 
about  400  miles  ai  length.  Its  aftluents  will  aggregate  as  much  more,  say  Soo  miles, 
or  111  round  numbers  say  1,000  miles.  'I'he  smaller  streams  and  gulches  will  aggre- 
gate possibly  as  much  more,  say  2,000.  Now  the  Stewart  River  enjoys  the  repiit.i- 
tioii  among  th^  old  hands  in  the  district  of  being  the  best  |Kiyiiigdirt  in  the  countrv. 
When  It  was  first  mined  on,  many  miners  took  from  $.50  to  $100  per  day  out  of  the 
bars  along  the  river,  by  ordinary  rockers,  and  since  that  time  prospectors  never  failed 
to  find  what  is  called  a  grub  stake,  tliat  is,  sufficient  to  purchase  provisions,  clothing, 
and  other  necessaries  for  Oiie  year,  on  its  bars.  They  are  cleaneil  off  from  year  to 
year,  .md  the  wash  of  tiie  river  seems  to  renew  the  deposit  of  gold.  Now  this  gold 
must  come  from  somewhere,  and  prospecting  never  yet  revealed  from  where.  Special 
attention  is  directeil  to  this  stream  as  being  one  of  the  largest  and  most  promising 
fields  111  that  district. 

I.itlle  ])rospecting  has  been  done  on  the  I'elly  River,  and  nut  mu(  h  success  has 
attended  what  has  been  done,  which  may  partly  be  attributed  to  the  fai  t  that  little 
or  no  bedrock  work  was  done.  The  few  who  trieil  it  appear  to  have  iloiie  only  sur- 
face prospecting. 

This  river  and  its  affluents  will  likely  furnish  as  much,  if  not  more,  stream  and 
gulch  than  Stewart  River,  and  while  it  cannot  i)e  asserted  that  the  prospects  on  it  a.e 
as  favorably  reported  on  as  those  of  the  Stewart,  it  can  be  said  that  much  less  attt  ".- 
tioii  has  been  bestowed  on  them. 

I'here  is  no  reason  why  the  branches  and  gulches  of  this  river  system  sivuild 
not  yield  in  parts  good  pay,  as  it  lies  in  the  gold  bearing  zone  running  through  and 
from  British  Columbia  to  the  141st  meridian. 


Mouth  of  Fortymile  River. 


From  Photo,  by  IV.  Ogilvie. 


.* 


CANADA'S    CKKAT    I'.nLD    lli:i.l>. 


86 

.V  s,na,i  .-..u  now,.,,  ..no  U;e  ^;;^'; -„;;-- .^  :^i:::i,  i!t::'u^ 

few  m.U'S  above  t  u-  '''''^'''> 'f,  ^f  u  u  u  t  uf  success.  Annthcr  stream.  .,..,„- 
tl,e  last  three  -r  f-ur  years,  with  a  ^''  ; '  /'  '  ^  „,,t,,  „f  tl,e  I'ellv.  Kn„cl  prospects 
inK  the  I-ewes  or  Pelly  al.out  ;,o  nules    elnss      «-  """^    *  '  .^^-  ,,^  ,,e  said, 

;:;t  reported  on.  but  ^-^\^^;;^^;^'^^;^T .^'^^^^^^^^  -'--"^«  ^'^  ''^i'^i 
Last  su.nn.er   "-"^vspaper   re  <  rts  .mn  s^^^^^^^^^  ^,,^.,.^.  .   ,„  fact,  one  imd 

:;:;!;!;;nd;;;;:r"ts'rS,;:l;:b;ni;:;e'!fcrLt  appear  t.,  ,.   nu.re  than  newspaper 

^^'"'^^L  •resln,..,r  Hootainu.ua  of  ^^^^  TTo^Z ^^"t^U::^^  "-t'sS 
and  .887.  was  worWed  on  "-Uo.jd  j..y  f.u.nd  o        c  J-w  „,•,,,„„, 

„f  the  head  of  this  stream  is  tlie  ^  ''^^^  II,  -h  ,  kl  miners  to-day  assert  is  one  of  the 
nnds  were  macle  many  V-'^^ •'^\;;;!;^^t  y''  J  les  for  iL\  supply.  Huiin^ 
best  districts   ni   America,   weie   thcic    >«"e"^   '        ^  ^       i^i,,er  itself  on  the  bars 

,S8S,  1886  and  .887.  nuich  ■'>'"''^,«;7'^;'';'-;;^  t,;  '  Iv  the  Teslin  down  to  near 
ind  banks  along  it.     '^^'S  extended  fn.      a  few  m.k^^l^  ^^^^^^^^^^^    ,^;^,^^^ 

the  Felly.  One  bar  on  the  -'vc  -  called  ^;  ^  [.^^fj^^,,,,  ^^  $6,000  in  thirty  days 
was  worked  in  .886.  and  was  so  rich    la    to  ir  n  c    c  ,   •^^^^       ,^,^^^  ^^^^, 

Others  came  along  after  ^'^'^  .P''  ^^  ,f  ^f  '^Lk  per  day.  N>any  of  the  bank 
party  re-worked  it  in  .887.  and  ^y*  V  rnishe  Yai  wages.  The  discovery  of  coarse 
claims  yielded  good  pay  too,  ^.^^^i.^s  of  her  develop  th..se  bar  and  bank 
Cn«s  ::;rtrmr^S^.t.t^rrca::;.^>e  anydoubl  that  they  will  yet  be 

^-'^]^S  waters  of  the  I^-.  s^er  ..^been  fc^d^ancU^^^  hnt  as 

the  attention  of  most  of  themmeis  e"^,^'' "f  '^^,  ^^„^  ^ere.  I  have  seen  several 
further  down,  very  I'^tle  prospecting  ha  ^^^^  ,;^^  ,^ ,  ^^  f „„„  this  part  of  the 
specimens  of  silver  bearing  .^' ^  ^^^ ''   '' ^^^^  found,  in  the  vicinity  of 

cLunry,  and  one  old  ^^^''^^^V^'^'V  ver  beX  vei  s  le  ever  heard  of.  That  there 
:^ft:;:':Vt;?rinM;;:aS^;"w^r^>o:bt,as  he  showed  .e  specm.ens  of 

-  %:  the  head  w.ers  of  -  -^  Jl-^;^^-.S^.r  th^^'^^^^^^ 
between  Lituya  and  Yakutat  15'^>«' f  ^^  ]  accident.  He  was  crossing  the  river 
was  not  prospecting;  ^>^^fi"\>  ^y^u^;'*^/  i;^\^nto  the  water,  which  was  icy  cod. 
on  horseback,  his  horse  ,«  "■"^^^^^''    Jff^  '  u"  ^K^e  and  in  climbing  out  grasped  a 

*L^hX\S;:"l'*h^^•«*na  a^'l.l^:»ft^--.  cf  an,  or.an..,  »a., 

but  entirely  due  to  accicjent  <.onfidently  assert  that  we  have  here  a  region 

With  these  facts  before  us  we  may  <  "'^"^^^^^'y  -,      j.^  length  and  500  or 

situated  in  the  North-west  Terntones  tjpw  rd    o^  fouth-eastwards 

more  miles  wide,  along  the  southern  *'0""^^[>' '"''"' ^  .westward  to  and  across  the 
into  British  Columbia,  --Vlhe"Sr'ermTheSng  oHnd  iSr  it,  discharging  into  the 
141st  meridian,  for  some  of  the  streams  neauing  stretches,  and  we 

ptcilic  Ocean  west  of  Mount  bt.  hl.as  >'  f ^„^f  ^J^,'  ;,  g  too  Farther  inland  gold 
may  reasonably  assume  the  upper  f^'^^^'J'^;.  f  \V  „.J;';'"^ear  the  head  waters  of  the 

has  been  found  on  the  "PlfJ,7^^:^^^,°^,'d  hJ^  - '^^  ^on.e  gold  on  the  south 
Fortvmile,and  in  1873  and  1^74  Harper  and  nare  ^^  ^^^^.^^^  .^  ^  ^^^^^_ 

branch  of  White  River,  in  the  v— X  oj  ^^^^^  ^le  wilh  reason  that  all.  that 
f^cation  f-  this^aj^umpion.      1^^^^^^  c^^_^^  the  easterly  limit  of  the  X  ukon 

Taie^sy:  em  to'^t'^^  .    :tf  m':ridian!will  prove  more  or  less  gold  bearing. 


ku- 


(If  left  Milt  a 
1  old  timers  for 
•  r  stru.im.  .i<'in- 

;r<)()(l  pro^^pccts 
iifseiit  be  saiil. 
iiinu;  the  I'clly, 
111  fact,  one  find 

hail   newspaper 

lier  up,  in  1.H86 
it.     just  south 
ia,  inwliioli  rich 
;rl  is  (jne  of  the 
ui)ply.      nurins 
*elf  on  the  liars 
lin  down  to  near 
jr  Sahnon   River, 
)0  in  thirty  ilays. 
The  ori^jinal 
any  of  tlie  bank 
covery  of  coarse 
e   bar  and   bank 
they  will  yet  be 

iome  K<'1'1'  hnt  ''« 
rected   to  points 

ave  seen  several 
this  part  of  the 
in  the  vicinity  of 

I  of.  That  there 
me  specimens  of 

the  Pacific  Ocean 
u  party  finding  it 
crossing  the  river 
ich  was  icy  cold, 
ng  out  grasped  a 
ime  with  it  he  saw 
■i  he  preserved  and 
g  like  $1  ill  coarse 

;en  the  summit  of 
1  the  small  streams 
^  organized  search, 

have  here  a  region 
length  and  500  or 
ds  south-eastwards 
to  and  across  the 
lischarging  into  the 
;r  stretches,  and  we 
Farther  inland  gold 
head  waters  t)f  the 
gold  on  the  south 
of  which  is  a  justi- 
eason  that   all    that 
limit  of  the  Yukon 
bearing. 


TIIK    VTKON    DISTRICT, 


i* 


r 


yx  CANADA'S    (iRI.A'i'    (iOl.D    IIKI.I*. 

B^SS'liB'z^t^x^^^^ 

,' to"  IKU  ^.urprett  Aondusivdy.     This  d.stnct   -  exc.ptwmal  y  r.cl-      V   1  - 
nu    liis    fVLT   been    fou.ul   like  it   heretofore  m  that  couiUiy.  in  '-''^  'n  vu>  i    n 

^'"' T^kerTauMSethe"  we  have  a  vast  Aeld  with  fair  prospects,  as  fair  it  .nay  be 

agreeably  modify  many  of  them,  and  the  resrard  may  be  great. 

OTHER  MINERALS  FOUND  IN  THE  YUKON  DISTRICT. 

l",e,-es  of  n-itive  cnper  have  from  time  to  time  been  brought  in  from  the  White 

Sm'l  m  the  v  dn   v  ,.    the  mouth  uf  the  Klondike  show  traces  o(  co|.|«r.     O,     he 
S;'™;ierff^..4  above  the  n,o„thU^^^^^^ 

resultb  :  5  q, 

Hvgroscopic  water '  -i 

Volatile  combustible  matter oi 

Fixeil  carbon ^^^'^^ 

Ash,       


TIIK    S  I  K(>\    DlSlRlcr. 


89 


iir  liUfnialiniial 
iilary  —  tin-  6olh 
St  liMiinilary,  an 
I'lo  65''  approxi- 
ill  aie.i  of  al)()iU 
iisfly. 

•en  uiulcr  present 
li  facilities  as  wo 
it  reKi"M.  Atteii 
vos  its  now  worlil- 
)i\,  100  of  tiiese 
n\r  term,  many  of 
n\  an-  worth  any- 
I  tliose  two  creeks, 
lanietl,  aftUicnt  to 

miles  in  width,  if 
oUars  in  sijjht  in 
i  so  far  developeil 
laliy  rich.     Noth- 

fact,  in  very  few 
confidently  assert 
irohahle  that  gold 
;h  is  less  than  the 
rn  area  of  British 
L  of  the   Klondike 

J,  as  fair  it  may  be 
natural  conditions 
rise  will  no  doubt 


DISTRICT. 

in  from  the  White 
:he  copper  on  that 
ii;  copper  is  being 
o  streams  head  in 
neral  bearing  lodes 
of  copper.  On  the 
lead  ore  or  galena, 
J  pounds  has  been 
nind  in  the  vicinity 
;rcially  it  is  worth 
ly  yet  be  found  of 
)ne  may  infer  from 

magnetic  iron  ore 
le  found  in  place  in 
abundant  and  very 

country.  A  short 
IS  crop  out.  They 
ly,  collectively  they 
5ayed  in  Ottawa  by 
,  with  the  following 


( )ii  I'oal  Croek,  which  joins  the  Nukon  about  four  miles  below  Cudaliy,  fxtfii 
sive  co.il  seams  have  been  found  and  lotaied.  ( >ii  a  small  ( reek  named  Ciiti 
Creek,  wliicii  joins  some  tive  or  six  miles  below  tlu>,  another  extensive  seam  has 
been  t.uiiid  and  lix  ated,  Coal  is  fdiind  in  tiie  drift  in  the  stre. mis  bet  ween  those  and 
on  .mother  creek  known  as  I'l.it  Creek,  below  Cliff  t!reek.  ( )n  I'welve  Mile  and 
I'ifteen    Mile  (Greeks  —  so   named   because  tl    y  were  supposed  to  be  that  distance 


(iolil-Hearinj;  I. ode  —  t'oiie  Hill. 


/■i,»/i  Plwt.K  /•)•  ir.  (>),ulvie. 


6.03 
36.92 

4903 
8.02 


below  I'orl  Reliance  —  coal  is  also  found,  some  six  or  eight  miles  from  the  Yukon 
River.  ( 'oal  is  reported  at  the  head  of  the  KhMidike,  and  the  report  was  accompanie<l 
by  specimens  of  the  mineral.  1  have  heard  it  stated  that  coal  is  also  seen  in  the 
drift  of  some  of  the  upper  streams  of  the  Stewart  River,  the  inference  being  that 
there  is  a  continuous  coal  liearing  strata  running  from  the  Yukon  River  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  i5omulary  Line  south-eastwards  through  liritish  Columbia,  and  |)os- 
sibly  through  that  Province  into  the  North-west  Territories.  Specimens  of  the 
coal  from  C'oal  Creek  and  Cliff  Creek  were  sent  out  for  assay,  and  the  Ijeological 
.Survey  Chemist  reports  on  it  as  follows  : 

"The  material  at  the  time  of  its  receipt  was  found  to  be  comjjletely  disinte- 
grated. It  had  evidently  lost  a  certain  proportion  of  the  hygroscopic  water  originally 
contained  in  it  ;  hence  the  following  analysis  must  be  considered  as  more  nearly 
representing  the  composition  of  the  fuel  in  an  air-tlried  condition  than  as  it  occurs  in 
its  native  state. 

"Approximate  analysis  by  fast  coking  of  selected  material  gave  : 

Hygr()scoi)ic  water, 7.24 

X'olatile  cfjiiibustible  matter 41-75 

I'ixed  carbon, 4''^-9' 

.\sh  (brcnvnish  yellow) 2.40 

100.00 


90  CANADA'S   (IRKAT    COM)    FIKI.D 

"  It  yielded  by  slow  cokin'j  a  iioii-coht'rent  coke.  I)y  fast  cokiiiK  a  slightly  fritted 
cuke. 

"'I'lu'  results  of  tlu-  fxatniiiatmn  of  the  furl  led  to  the  iiiffrt'iico  lliat  the  ma- 
terials of  the  sc.im  in  (|iiesti(>ii  r«'|)reseiited  a  lignite  of  superior  (juality   ' 

These  coals  are  all  of  the  same  <|iiality.  So  far  as  I  know  no  ^ood  cookmn 
coal  has  yet  lu-en  found  ni  that  country.  One  thing  will  he  noticed  in  connection 
with  the  (!oal  (,'reek  coal  is  the  remarkably  low  |)ercentage  of  ash  that  it  yields. 
No  specimens  yet  tried,  as  far  as  I  know,  gave  more  than  s'v',  and  some  of  it  went 
below  iii. 

Approximate  tests  made  with  some  of  the  surface  coal  fr<im  (^oal  (reek  deter- 
mined a  ton  of  it,  2,000  pounds,  to  be  e(|uni  to  about  2'j  cords  of  the  spruce  wood 
generally  used  as  fuel  in  that  region.  A  good  sample  of  the  coal  would  |)riibably 
l)e  e(|ual  to  3  cords.  A  curd  of  this  wood  will  weigh  nearly  a  ton  and  a  half. 
Fur  steamboat  use  tiiis  coal  pussesses  a  tremendous  advantage  buth  in  s|)ace  and 
weight. 

The  existence  of  silver  I  have  previuusly  mentioned  on  the  upper  stretches  of 
the  I, ewes  and  its  affluents. 

Should  lime  be  required  in  the  reduction  of  ores  or  for  building  purposes,  it 
will  be  found  in  abundance  on  Coal  Creek,  quite  convenient  to  the  Yukon  River, 
as  that  stream  pierces  a  range  of  cretaceous  mountains,  to  which  I  have  already 
referred. 

I  UN  IS   ON    I'kOSF'KCTINt;. 

Having  found  a  creek  which  we  determine  to  prospect,  we  search  for  some  sharp 
angle  in  it  where  the  creek  runs  obliquely  against  a  steep  bank.  In  a  place  like  this 
you  are  more  apt  to  find  gold  than  in  other  places  in  the  creek  valley.  True,  it  is 
only  found  on  the  surface  and  may  be  no  indication  of  what  is  to  be  found  below, 
for  the  gold  found  on  the  surface  may  have  come  from  the  hillside  drift,  the  clay 
and  sand  which  came  with  it  hi  ig  washed  away  by  the  creek  waters  ;  but  yon  will 
sooner  determine  the  fact  whether  or  not  there  is  gold  in  the  valley  at  a  point  like 
this.  Having  satisfied  ourselves  that  there  is  gold  in  sufficient  (piantity  to  warrant 
further  prospecting,  you  now  take  the  risk  of  sinking  a  "  hole,"  as  it  is  termed,  to 
bed  rock.  The  most  convenient  season  to  do  this  is  early  in  the  winter  when  the 
surface  water  is  all  frozen,  otherwise  it  will  interfere  with  your  progress  by  flowing 
into  your  pit  and  putting  out  your  fires,  or  at  least  preventing  their  most  efficient 
at:tion.  If  you  cannot  wait  for  this  season  choose  some  high  spcjt  where  you  will 
not  likely  be  bothered  with  intlow  of  water.  V'ou  will  have  a  few  feet  more  digging 
to  tlo  to  bed  rock,  but  you  are  more  certain  of  reaching  it.  If  you  want  to  sink 
where  the  best  pay  is  likely  to  be  found,  try  just  below  the  junction  of  some 
creek,  gulch,  or  ravine  with  the  main  stream  or  valley.  The  heavier  parts  from  both 
streams  are  held  liere.  Experience  siiows  that  the  best  claims  are  generally  just  be- 
low a  "forks,"  as  it  is  termed.  Having  reached  bed  rock  you  may  find  pay,  or  you 
may  not.  If  you  think  the  surface  prospects  warrant  you  in  extending  your  opera- 
tions, select  some  other  point  in  the  creek  valley  and  sink  a  hole  to  bed  rock  again. 
Continue  in  this  way  until  the  character  of  that  part  of  the  valley  is  determined,  but 
it  may  be  that  you  will  "cro.ss-cut  "  the  whole  valley,  as  it  is  termed,  and  find  noth- 
ing ;  yet,  this  does  not  warrant  you  in  assuming  that  there  is  nothing  in  that  creek. 
I  have  known  places  where  this  was  done  without  anything  being  found,  and  yet  a 
few  yards  above  or  below  a  single  hole  found  rich  pay. 

To  work  the  claim  properly,  if  the  gravel  is  deep,  it  is  necessary  to  do  this  by 
what  is  termed  burning,  that  is,  you  thaw  the  frozen  ground  out  with  fire.  This  is  a 
tedious  and  costly  process  and  requires  much  more  labor  in  procuring  the  wood  and 
attending  to  the  fires,  disposing  of  the  waste  dirt,  as  it  is  called,  that  is,  the  non- 
paying  dirt,  than  that  connected  with  the  actual  paying  dirt.  Several  schemes  are 
now  under  way  with  a  view  to  obviating  these  hindrances  to  mining  in  that  country. 
Proposals  to  thaw  out  by  steam  are  being  tested,  also  by  coal  oil.  This  latter,  if  it 
can  be  perfected  will  be  much  the  cheapest  and  most  effective,  as  coal  oil  can  be 
purchased  in  that  country  for  about  $1  per  gallon,  and  later  on,  no  doubt,  much  less. 


■^'«iB-~«4*m!*/W«  -^ 


a  uliRhtly  fritted 

IK  f  that   till-  ma- 
lty." 

1(1  vjootl  cookiiin 

ed  ill  comu'Ction 

^1)  that  It  yiflils. 

some  of  it  went 

.;()al  (reck  tlcit-r- 
tlic  spruce  wood 
1  wdiild  probably 
,  ton  ami  a  luilf. 
joth  in  space  and 

upper  stretches  of 

ilding  purposes,  it 
1  the  Yukon  River, 
ch  I  have  already 


rch  for  some  sharp 
In  a  place  like  this 
valley,     'rrue,  it  is 
to  be  found  below, 
side  drift,  the  clay 
Iters  ;  but  you  will 
illey  at  a  point  like 
(juantity  to  warrant 
'  as  it  is  termed,  to 
he  winter  when  the 
progress  by  flowing 
their  most  efficient 
spot  where  you  will 
w  feet  more  dig^jing 
If  you  want  to  sink 
e  junction  of   some 
vier  parts  from  both 
re  generally  just  be- 
may  find  pay,  or  you 
tending  your  opera- 
le  to  bed  rock  again, 
iy  is  determined,  but 
med.  and  find  nolh- 
lothing  in  that  creek, 
ing  found,  and  yet  a 

cessary  to  do  this  by 
L  with  fire.  This  is  a 
icuring  the  wood  and 
led,  that  is,  the  non- 
Several  schemes  are 
ining  in  that  country, 
oil.  This  latter,  if  it 
ve,  as  coal  oil  can  be 
,  no  doubt,  much  less. 


riiK  M  K(>\  lusikicr. 


91 


One  scheme  which  has  been  proposed  to  ine,  it  is  asserted,  will  thaw  one  (  iibic  yard 
of  dirt  with  less  than  one  gallon  of  (oal  oil.  This,  if  successful,  will  certainly  be  n 
(heap  and  e\|>e(liti()us  way  of  mining  in  that  country.  I  am  not  m  a  position  at  present 
to  give  the  details  of  this  method,  .is  it  is  only  in  the  embry(t  state,  but  the  results 
so  far  are  eiK  imraging. 

Some  of  the  |)idposed  me. hods  by  steam  ajipear  practicable  when  used  on  a 
large  scale  ;  but,  so  f.ir,  it  appears  it  does  not  realize  expectations  on  .i  small  scale, 
but  this  will  no  doubt  be  overtoine  by  e.xiieriment. 

I  cannot  advertise  any  particular  scheme  |)r()posed  an  against  any  other,  but 
have  no  doubt  each  exponent  of  any  melliiul  will  soon  advertise  it  himself.  My  object 
is  simply  to  call  attention  to  the  fa(  t  that  simie  method  other  than  firing  as  it  is  imw 
used  is  speedily  necessary.  In  pLu  es  where  the  ground  is  shallow  —  that  is,  not  more 
than  I o  feet  deep  —  what  is  called  gr(jund  sluicing  is  icsorted  to.  .\  ditch  is  dug 
through  the  claim,  a  dam  constructed  in  the  iii)per  end  of  it,  and  the  water  is  direc- 
ted through  the  ditch.  The  water  soon  wears  away  the  ice-boiiiid  dirt  down  to  the 
bed  of  gravel  below,  'i'he  heat  of  the  sun  melts  the  frozen  dirt  on  the  sides  of  the 
ditch,  ami  it  is  thrown  into  the  stream  and  carried  down  and  away  from  the  claim. 
In  this  way  a  part  of  the  claim,  25  or  30  feet  in  wiilth,  is  cleaned  down  to  the  gravel  ; 
sluice  boxes  are  then  erected  and  the  gravel  is  shoveled  into  them,  and  any  gold 
which  it  may  contain  is  retained  by  the  ripple  bar  in  the  boxes,  while  the  gravel  ^nd 


t  Hiiuiidary 


At  the  Crossing  of  the  International   Houndary  ami  the  .South    Hank  of  Moose  Creek. — 

International  Boundary  appears  as  a  Wliite  Slicak  tliroujjh  the  Woods.  —  White 

Summit  in  Centre  is  "Tlie  Dome." 

sand  are  by  the  force  of  the  current  of  water  carried  onwards  and  down  to  the  tail- 
ings at  the  end  of  tiie  line  of  sluice  bo.xes.  When  bed  rock  is  reached  on  this  line 
another  portion  of  the  gravel  is  stripped  of  the  muck  and  washed  in  the  same  way. 
It  is  evident  that  when  the  inuck  and  gravel  are  too  deep  this  method  is  '.npractic- 


t 
J 


92 


CANADA'S    (".RKAT    COl,!)    FIKM). 


able,  ill  wliirli  case  llie  i)ay  streak  has  to  be  '•  drifted  "  out  by  iMiniiii'^,  which  is  done 
as  follows  :  —  , 

A  hole  is  cut  in  the  surface  moss  and  tlebris  tlowu  to  solid  jrrouiui.  In  this 
hole,  which  should  be  about  3  fee',  wide  and  6  feet  loni^,  a  i'w^^  is  made,  and  when  tht' 
fire  luiK  yone  out  the  ashes  and  jrrountl  which  't  has  thawed  are  thr(jwn  out  ;  aiKJther 
fire  is  built,  and  the  process  repeated  until  bed  rock  is  reached.  The  average  rate 
of  descent  is  about  one  foot  per  day.  Bed  rock  reached,  we  now  drift  sideways  — 
that  is,  we  buiUl  our  fire  against  the  side  of  the  hole  or  shaft  which  we  consider  the 
best  pay  will  be  found  on,  and  procec,'.  as  when  ^inking  the  shaft,  moving  about  one 
foot  per  day,  as  before  stated.  The  lire  will  thaw  out  much  morj  dirt  than  there  is 
pay  in,  unless  our  i)ay  streak  is  very  deep,  ami  we  have  carefully  to  separate  the  pay 
from  the  non-r)ay  dirt,  and  hoist  out  only  the  pay  iHrt. 

When  we  reach  a  distauje  of  20  to  30  feet  from  our  shaft  we  have  to  put  down 
another,  ami  continue  from  it  as  before. 

The  greater  part  of  the  heat  from  our  fire  does  us  nt)  good  used  in  this  way, 
and  it  is  most  desirable  that  some  other  method  of  thawing  be  developed  as  soon 
as  possible. 

As  to  the  (piantity  that  will  pay,  it  is  considered  that  10  cents  to  the  i)an  with 
three  or  four  feet  of  dirt  is  excellent  pay.  Less,  of  course,  pays  in  a  less  degiee  ami 
more  in  a  greater,  but  that  is  considered  good  pay  in  that  country  even  uiuler  pres- 
ent conditions.  A  little  experience  will  soon  enable  one  to  determine  just  how  much 
there  is  in  a  pan.  To  the  uninitiated  10  cents  to  the  pan  looks  little  more  than  a 
few  sjiecks  of  gold  in  one  corner  of  the  bottom,  except  in  the  case  of  flake  goU'. 
which  may  be  so  thin  that  a  cent's  worth  of  it  will  ai)parently  cover  the  whole  bot- 
tom of  the  jian,  and  the  beginner  will  think  he  has  struck  something  very  rich.  A 
little  water  ;<oured  into  the  pan  soon  shows  us  the  difference  between  flake  gold  and 
coarse,  though  it  may  not  be  apparent  to  the  eye.  The  flake  rises  in  the  agitated 
water  and  sinks  slowly,  which,  of  course,  heavier  gold  will  not  do. 

The  lumber  for  sluice  boxes,  by  which  the  gravel  is  washed  as  before  described, 
has  lo  be  whip  sawed.  'I'his  involves  a  lot  of  tedious,  difficiUt  work.  The  only  mill 
in  the  country  was  100  niuch  taken  up  with  sawing  lumber  for  building  purposes  to 
devote  any  attention  to  sluice  box  lumber.  Hereafter  saw  mills  may  be  more  con- 
venient. Sluice  boxes  require  carefully-selected  lumber,  as  free  as  po.ssible  from 
knots  or  knot  holes.  This,  of  course,  those  who  go  mining  will  soon  a.scertain  for 
tliemsehc;;  a:id  also  quickly  learn  the  best  way  to  get  over  these  ditificulties. 

Hillside  prospecting  has  been  resorted  to  already  there  and  some  fair  claims 
foup'd.  This  is  conducted  on  the  same  principles  as  gulch  prospecting,  with  the  dif- 
ference that  there  is  much  less  depth  ot  dirt  on  the  hillside  as  a  rule  than  in  the  bot- 
tom of  a  gulch.  It  is  well  to  bear  in  mind  that  hillside  claims  are  inconvenient  to 
work  ;  the  water  has  eitlier  to  be  brought  down  along  the  hillside  from  a  high  level 
on  the  creek,  which  may  necessitate  a  very  long  ditch.  The  w<irking  of  them  will 
be  sure  to  conflict  with  the  working  of  the  gulch  claims,  and  their  location  until  after 
the  gulch  or  creek  claims  are  worked  out  is  not  desirable. 

(,)uartz  prospecting  has  been  prosecuted  to  a  very  limited  extent  in  that  coun- 
try, but  that  little  has  revealed  that  there  are  a  great  many  lodes  (^f  iow  grade  gold- 
bearing  rock  there,  some  of  it  too  low  to  be  considered  at  all  in  connection  with 
milling  for  some  time  to  come.  'I'ime,  no  doubt,  will  develop  improved  means  antl 
methoils  of  meeting  and  combating  the  peculiar  conditions  existing  there,  and  ren- 
dering profii..'.ble  the  most  of  this  rock.  The  hillsides,  for  a  height  of  about  1,000 
feet  above  water  level,  are  thickly  covered  with  an  undergrowth  "i"  sfub  and  moss. 
This  practically  precludes  attempts  at  |)rospecting  for  cpiartz  excev>t  in  a  few  iso- 
lated spots.  The  mountain  tops  themselves,  or  the  crests  of  the  ridges,  are  bare  of 
timber,  but  are  covered  with  a  sub-arctic  moss  which  almost  comjjletely  conceals  the 
character  of  the  rock.  This,  of  course,  is  ea.sily  gotten  over  by  smashing  a  few 
specimens  here  and  there  with  a  hammer,  but  [prospecting  for  (juartz  in  this  way,  to 
be  prosecut  .d  successfully,  requires  much  more  geological  knowleilge  and  technical 
training  t'i;.r.  the  vast  majority  of  the  miners  are  possessed  of,  besides  a  keenness  of 
observatfi  ;'.  tiuit  is  rather  rare.     I  think  a  small  diamond  drill  plant  would  be  about 


inn,  whicli  is  done 

!  irroiuul.  lii  tiiis 
ladc,  and  wiieii  tlu- 
•own  out  ;  anotiier 

The  average  rate 
,v  drift  sideways  — 
cii  we  consider  the 

moving  ab^jut  one 
!  dirt  than  there  is 
to  separate  the  jiay 

i  have  to  put  dmvii 

)d  used  in  tliis  way, 
developed  as  soon 

Its  to  tiie  pan  witli 
n  a  less  degree  and 
ry  even  under  pres- 
nine  just  how  much 
:s  Httle  more  than  a 
;  case  of  flake  goli'. 
)vei-  the  whole  bot- 
jthing  very  rich.  A 
,veen  flake  gold  and 
ises  in  the  agitated 
o. 

as  before  described, 
rork.  The  only  mill 
niilding  purposes  to 
.s  may  be  more  con- 
ee  as  possible  from 
11  soon  ascertain  for 

difficulties, 
nd  some  fair  claims 
)ecting,  with  the  dif- 
rule  than  in  the  bot- 

are  inconvenient  to 
ide  from  a  high  level 
iforking  of  them  will 
ir  location  until  after 

extent  in  that  coun- 
;s  (^f  low  grade  gold- 
1  in  connection  with 
improved  means  anil 
sting  there,  and  reii- 
height  of  about  i.ooo 

-•:  SL'-ub  and  moss, 

except  in  a  few  iso- 

le  ridges,  are  bare  of 

mi)letely  conceals  the 

by  smashing  a  few 
juartz  in  this  way,  to 
)wledge  and  technical 
besides  a  keenness  of 
)lanl  would  be  about 


THK    NIKON    DLslKICr 


93 


itf^Mk.' 


H^j^ 


J^ 


rolicc   ItaT racks,  Cinlahy. 


/;-,)W  /'//.'A',  h'  jr.  OiTi/fif. 


the  most  effective  and  satisfactory  way  of  prospecting  for  gold-bearing  rock.  It 
could  readiiy  be  used,  no  matter  what  the  surface  was  like.  I  have  often  thought 
that  some  sort  of  a  modification  of  it  would  be  more  convenient  for  prospecting  for 
placer  gold  than  the  present  method  of  burning  down.  By  the  time  a  few  cpiartz 
mills  are  established  there  will  no  doubt  be  very  many  extensive  and  valuable  quartz 
lodes  discovered  ;  as  it  is  highly  improbable  that  all  the  gold-bearing  rock  has  been 
weathered  or  ground  down,  depositing  its  gold  in  the  gulches,  much  of  it  must  yet 
remain  in  the  hills  and  mountains  of  the  region  of  the  diggings.  The  only  question 
being,  is  it  concentrated  enough  to  pa^  for  working,  or  scattered  about  in  thin 
.stringers,  as  the  miners  term  it,  at  such  distances  apart  as  to  preclude  .-ny  idea  of 
mining  enterprise  in  that  direction.  Attention  is  called  to  the  fact  that  n. my  of  the 
lodes  found,  and  doubtless  many  to  be  found,  are  so  situated  that  water  is  practically 
not  available  during  six  or  seven  months  of  the  year.  The  small  streams  all  freeze 
solid  and  remain  so  from  November  until  May,  and  maybe  longer,  'i'his  will  neces- 
sitate some  other  method  of  milling  than  the  old  one  of  pounding  the  rock  in  a  box 
filled  with  water,  and  those  contemplating  quartz  mining  will  do  well  to  take  this 
question  into  consideration. 

A  few  remarks  on  the  value  of  gold  found  in  that  country  will  not  be  out  of 
l)lace  here.  As  a  rule  it  ranges  in  "  fineness,"  technically  termed,  from  .723  to  .875, 
that  is,  from  about  $15  per  ounce,  Troy  weight,  after  melting,  to  about  $18  per 
ounce,  Troy  weight,  after  melting.  Before  melting,  and  thus  cleaned  of  the  sand 
and  quartz  associated  with  it,  the  value  per  Troy  ounce  runs  from  fourteen  dollars 
and  ninety-two  cents  ($14.92)  to  seventeen  dollars  and  ten  cents  ($17.10)  on 
Bonanza  and  Eldorado,  and  as  high  as  .seventeen  dollars  and  sixty-four  ($17.64)  in 
oth  r  places.  The  value  of  pure  gold  is  twenty  dollars  and  sixty-seven  ($20.67)  psr 
ounce,  Troy  weight.  The  other  part  of  the  metal  as  it  is  mined  is  principally  sdver 
and  copper.  The  low  quality  of  Bonanza  and  Eldorado  is  more  than  compensated 
for  by  its  quantity. 


94 


CANADA'S    GREAT    GOLD    FIELD. 


While  prospecting  tiie  miner  liad  better  take  a  geologist's  hammer  with  him.  It 
is  small  and  di  vi.sed  specially  for  that  purpose.  He  al.so  requires  a  shovel  and  a 
pick.  As  to  food,  bedding,  \'c.,  his  own  judgment  will  have  to  decide  for  him  what 
he  considers  necessarj'.  One  thing  he  must  guard  against  during  the  summer 
months  are  the  mosquitoes,  which  plague  the  life  out  of  anyone  and  everyone  in  th.e 
country  for  at  least  three  months.  During  the  evenings  the  temjierature  sometimes 
goes  low  enough  to  render  them  torpid  for  a  short  time,  but  when  the  weather  is  at 
;all  cloudy  they  are  a  continual  torment,  and  a  good  supply  of  mosquito  netting 
should  be  laid  in.  For  this  purpose  the  ordinary  mosquito  netting  on  sale  is  too 
coarse  in  the  mesh,  and  1  would  recommend  fine  silk  tissue.  It  excludes  all  flies, 
however,  large  or  small,  is  not  hurtful  to  the  eyes  as  the  coarser  mosquito  netting  is, 
does  not  give  one  that  sense  of  suffocation  which  mosquito  netting  generally  does, 
and  lasts  much  longer.  A  good  pair  of  gum  boots  are  actually  necessary  while 
prospecting.  Much  of  the  lower  ground  is  swampy  valley,  with  ice-cold  water  in  it  ; 
and  it  is  necessary  to  warmly  clothe  the  feet  ;  the  other  part  of  the  body  only 
requires  protection  from  the  mos(|uitoes.  As  to  food,  one  has  very  often  just  to  put 
up  with  what  one  can  get  there,  which  very  often  is  not  very  varied,  consisting  prin- 
cipally of  pork,  bacon,  beans,  flour  and  tea.  Later  on,  I  will  give  some  information 
as  to  the  quality  and  kinds  of  food  required  and  the  amounts  to  be  taken. 

A  to  lumber,  the  only  lumber  of  any  value  found  in  that  region  is  scattered 
along  the  bottoms  of  the  river  valleys  and  streams.  A  few  hundred  feet  up  on  the 
hillsides  timber  diminishes  in  size.  I'he  cause  of  this  is  that  the  ground  is  eternally 
frozen,  being  covered  with  a  thick  deposit  of  moss  to  a  depth  of  two  or  more  feet, 
and  immediately  t  der  this  the  ice  can  be  found  at  any  time  in  the  year.  Now,, 
trees  growing  on  this  naturally  grcnv  slowly.  The  season  during  which  they  grow  is 
very  short,  being  only  three  or  four  montli.s,  and  the  temperature  in  which  they  grow 
is  extremely  low.  These  causes  combined  produce  trees  not  more  than  three  inches 
in  diameter,  nearly  two  centuries  old.  The  trees  immediately  adjacent  t(>  the  banks 
of  the  streams  and  on  islands  often  attain  a  diameter  of  fifteen  or  eighteen  inches. 


Rock  ClitT  on  Glacier  Creek,  Tributary  to  Fortymile  River,  Alaska. 


THK    YUKON    DISTRICT. 


95 


ler  with  liim.    It 

a  shovel  and  a 
ide  for  liim  what 
iiiK  the   summer 

everyone  in  tl;e 
•ature  sometimes 
he  weather  is  at 
Tiosquito  nettin-r 
g  on  sale  is  too 
excludes  all  flies, 
sqiiilo  netting  is, 
g  generally  does, 
r  necessary  while 
-cold  water  in  it  ; 
•f  the   body  only 

often  just  to  put 
],  consisting  prin- 
some  information 

taken. 

■gion  is  scattered 
;d  feet  up  on  the 
round  is  eternally 

two  or  more  feel, 
I  the  year.  Now. 
vhich  they  grow  is 
n  which  they  grow 

than  three  inches 
icent  to  the  banks 
)r  eighteen  inches, 


but  a  few  hundred  feet  away  trees  just  tiie  same  age  are  not  more  than  three  or  four 
inches  in  diameter.  This  is  due  to  the  warmth  of  the  water  in  the  streams,  and  the 
opening  of  the  bed  of  the  stream  permitting  more  direct  access  of  sunlight  and  heal 
to  the  surface  near  it.  Even  under  those  conditions  suitable  sluice-bo.x  lumber  is 
widely  scattered,  and  generally  found  in  sheltered  nooks  i'.  the  valleys,  facing  the  south. 
The  best  place  to  look  for  sluice-bo.x  lumber  is  in  some  deep  gulch  running  in  the 
direction  of  the  meridian  sun.  Those  searching  for  lumber  had  better  confine  their 
efforts  to  such  gulches,  as  those  facing  the  north  yield  nothing  but  scrub  such  as  I 
have  described. 


ROUTES. 


I  will  now  give  a  short  outline  sketch  of  the  different  routes  proposed  from  the 
eastern  and  southern  portion  of  this  continent  to  that  country. 

PRINCE  AI.BKRT  KOUTK. 

The  first  route  to  be  noticed  is  the  one  starting  from  Prince  Albert,  Saskatch- 
ewan, or,  we  will  say,  generally,  from  the  Saskatchewan  District,  following  the  old 
Hudson  Bay  Company's  route  via  Green  Lake,  Beaver  River,  Lake  Isle  a  la  Crosse, 
Portage  la  Losche,  and  Clearwater  River  to  Fort  McMurray,  at  the  foot  of  the  rapids 
on  the  Athabasca  River,  whence  the  route  is  common  to  the  next  one  to  be  de- 
scribed. I  have  no  personal  knowledge  of  this  route,  but  the  following,  tiuoted  from 
the  Saskatchewan  Times  of  December  21,  1897,  may  be  of  interest  in  connection 
with  it.  I  may  state  that  Prince  Albert  has  railway  communication  with  the  Cana- 
dian Pacific  Railway  at  Regina. 

"  Prince  Albert  to  Green  Lake  by  good  wagon  road,  140  miles. 

"Green  Lake  to  Portage  la  Losche,  220  miles  by  boats. 

"Passing  Portage  la  Losche  (good  road),  12  miles. 

"  Descending  Clearwater  River,  80  miles.     Total,  450  miles  by  boats. 

"  It  will  be  seen  that  this  route,  after  traversing  Cireen  Lake,  follows  the  course 
of  Beaver  River  to  Isle  a  la  Crosse;  then  through  Deep  River  and  Clear  Lake, 
Buffalo  Lake,  and  Methy  River  and  Lake  to  Portage  la  Losche.  This  portage  is  12 
miles  in  length,  but  presents  no  great  difficulty  to  the  transport  of  boats,  etc.,  the 
road  being  good  and  draft  animals  procurable.  From  this  portage  the  cour.se  of  the 
Clearwater  River  is  followed  without  interruption,  except  for  one  or  two  insignificant 
portages,  to  its  junction  with  the  Athabasca  near  Fort  McMurray." 

THK  EIJMONTOX  KOITK. 

The  next  route  in  order  is  the  F^dmonton  Route,  down  the  Mackenzie  to  Fort 
McPherson,  thence  to  Dawson  as  follows  :  Leavn^g  Edmonton,  to  which  we  get  by 
railway,  we  have  to  make  our  way  by  cart  or  buckboard  some  96  miles  to  .Xthabasca 
Landing. 

From  Athabasca  Landing  down  stream  the  Athabasca  River  is  free  of  hindrance 
to  navigation  for  about  120  miles,  when  we  reach  Pelican  Rapids.  The.se  are  not 
ditficult  to  navigate  ;  the  only  trouble  in  them  arises  from  low  water  and  some  rocks 
in  the  channel.  When  the  water  is  high  tliere  is  no  danger  at  all.  It  appears  they 
take  their  name  from  the  presence  of  pelican  in  or  about  them  nearly  all  summer  ; 
both  times  I  went  down  the  river  I  saw  them  there.  A  fair-sized  canoe  can  be  run 
down  those  rapids  with  safety. 


r 


./, 


t'ANADAS  GRKAI     C,()\A)    FIKI.I'. 


On.'  huiidrfd  ami  sixtv-livr  miles  bfl.'W  tiu-  lamiiuK  Craiul  Rapuir.  are  reached. 
Thi^  is  il.e  laiiid  ..I  the  river,  and  partakes  im.rc  of  the  naU.re  of  a  eataraet  than  ot 
a  rapid  In  the  nnddle  of  tiu.  elunmel  there  is  an  ishuul.  over  which  the  Hudson 
Hay  Companv  have  constructed  a  tramway  on  wli.ch  to  transport  the  outtits  for  all 
the  m)rthern 'posts.  The  steamlx.at  landing  is  about  one  and  a  iialf  miles  above  the 
island  the  inlerveniny  water  verv  shallow,  with  many  rocks  and  very  rapid  current. 
Throuuh  this  the  companv  has  made  a  channel  by  removing  rocks.  Between  this 
steamboat  landiiiK^  and  Fort  McMurray  the  company  .loes  ail  its  transport  witii  lar^e 
boats  locallv  known  as  sturgeon  nosed  or  sturgeon  boats,  from  the  tact  tha.  both 
bo-v  and  st'er'i  are  spoon-shaped  and  somewhat  resemble  a  slurge-.n  s  nose 
rhesc  boats  are  capable  of  lloating  about  ten  tons  each,  and  are  ea<  h  manned 
with  a  crew  of  ten  or  twelve  men.  and  when  loaded  draw  upwards  of  two  teet  ot 
water  The  time  of  their  ascent  and  des.  ■  nt  varies  much  with  the  height  of  water, 
as  in  some  of  the  rapids  more  or  less  portaging  has  to  be  done,  whicn  varies  with 
the  depth  of  water.  Helow  the  island  in  C.rand  Rapids  there  is  nearly  two  iniles  of 
rough  water,  which  in  low   water  recpiires  much   care  in  navigating  to  avoid  rocks 

''"'  nciween(;rand  Rapids  and  Fort  M.-.\lurray  there  are  ten  rapids.  I  obtained 
from  the  pilot  of  the  sleamOoal  (a  man  who  was  acknowledged  by  all  I  nupiired  ot 
to  possess  as  complete  and  reiud^le  knowledge  of  the  river  fn.m  the  Landing  to  Lake 
Athabasca  as  any  man  in  the  country)  the  names  of  those  rapids  and  the  best  way  to 

run  down  them.  ..,,,.,       ^  i 

The  first  in  the  order  of  descent  is  named  "  Hrule  Rai)ids.  It  is  about  25  miles 
below  Crand  R.-pitls.  In  it  the  river  spreads  out  from  250  or  300  yards  in  width  to 
upwards  of  400.  In  mid-stream  the  water  is  shallow,  so  much  so  that  large  trees 
ground  on  their  way  down.  The  channel  is  on  the  left  side  o  the  river  aiul  (imte 
close  to  the  shore.  It  is  not  more  than  one-fourth  of  a  mile  long,  and  by  keeping 
not  more  than  twentv  or  thirtv  yards  from  the  shore  there  is  no  danger  in  its  descent 
It  anoears  the  rapiil  takes  its  name  from  the  presence  of  an  extensive  brnle.  About 
si.xteen  miles  below  it  comes  '.'Boiler  Rapids."  This  is  quite  an  extens.ve  rapid 
though  onlv  tb.e  lower  oart  of  it  is  very  rough.  In  high  water  the  left  side  altoids 
the  safest  channel  to  run  in,  ^.nd  in  low  water  the  right  side.  It  takes  its  name  from 
the  fact  that  tiic  ijoiier  intended  for  the  Ijudsou's  Bay  Company  s  steamer  on  the 
lower  river  was  lost  in  the  rapid  through  the  wrecking  of  the  scow  which  contained 
it  on  its  way  through  in  1882.  At  the  foot  of  this  rapid  there  is  much  rough  water, 
which  reciuires  a  gooil-sized  canoe  for  its  safe  descent. 

In  sight  of  the  lower  end  of  the  above  comes  "  Drowned  Rapids.  1  he  channel 
here  is  on  the  left  side,  (piite  close  to  the  shore,  and  were  it  not  for  three  i  .our  large 
swells  caused  by  rocks,  it  might  be  run  down  by  anyor.e  without  any  apprehension  o 
danger  It  takes  its  name  from  the  fact  that  a  man  named  Tlion  i)s.  n  wa  .  .Imwned 
some  vears  ago  bv  the  swamping  of  his  canoe  in  running  through  it.  had  the  mis- 
fortun'e,  in  1884,  to  lose  a  member  of  my  party  in  a  similar  manner  though  1  have 
gone  through  them  mvself  t.  ice,  and  ran  no  risk  that  I  was  aware  of.  1  ess  than  a 
mile  from  this  rapid  we  enter  "  Middle  Rapid."  This  is  not  very  rough,  but  is  some- 
what shallow  and  stcmy.     The  channel  in  this  is  on  the  right  side 

■['he  next  rapid  is  known  as  "  Long  Rapid,"  and  the  channel  here  is  also  on  the 
right  side.     The  water  is  not  very  rough  in  it.  ,       •     •     ,       •  1 

Next  in  succession  is  "  Crooked  Rapid,"  from  the  fact  that  in  it  the  river  makes 
a  very  short  turn  round  a  limestone  point.  The  channel  is  on  the  right  side,  and  is 
not  rough,  witu  the  exception  of  a  small  "  chute  "  just  at  the  head  ;  this  requires  care 

"Stony  Rapids"  come  next ;  in  them  the  channel  is  on  the  right  side,  and  is  not 
veiy  rougi.^^^^  is  appropriately  known  as  the  "  Cascade,"  the  river  falling  over  a 
ledge  of  rock  about  three  feet  i  gh.  The  channel  is  on  the  left  side,  and  certain 
staees  of  water  perijiit  fair-sized  canoes  to  descend  it  without  much  risk. 

The  last  rapid  worthy  of  note  is  known  as  "  .Mountain   Rapid,    by  reason  of  the 
high  banks  in  its  vicinity.      It  is  rather  rough,  but  there  is  a  goo<l  channel  which  at 


idf.  arc  reaclitHl. 
cataract  tliaii  of 
icli  tlic  Hudson 
e  oiitru>  for 
miles  above  the 
ry  rajMil  current. 
s!  Helwecn  this 
isport  wall  lary;e 
le  fact  111.).  Ix.itii 
iturgeon's  nose, 
re  eai  li  manned 
s  of  two  feet  of 
hei^lit  of  water, 
vliicli  varies  with 
arly  two  miles  of 
^  to  avoid  rocks 

ids.  1  obtained 
all  I  in(|uircd  of 
Landin;4  to  Lake 
d  the  best  way  to 

is  about  25  miles 

yards  in  width  to 

1)  that  lar,i>;e  trees 

e  river,  and  (iiiite 

r,  and  by  keepini; 

iger  in  its  descent. 

ive  brule.     About 

1  extensive   rapid 

left  side  affords 

kes  its  name  from 

's  steamer  on  the 

which  contained 

luch  rough  water, 

s."  The  channel 
three',     ."our  large 

v  apprehension  of 
n  wa..  .Irowned 
t.  I  had  the  mis- 
er, though  I  have 

of.     I  ess  than  a 

)Ugh,  but  is  some- 

here  is  also  on  the 

it  the  river  makes 

right  siile,  and  is 

;  this  reiiuires  care 

;hi  side,  and  is  not 

^•er  falling  over  a 
"t  side,  and  certain 
h  risk. 

,"  by  reason  of  the 
il  channel  which  at 


View  from  lioundary  Line,  Looking  Down  Heil  Kock  Creek  to  Sixtyinile  Uivei. 

the  head  is  on  the  left  side,  in  the  middle  there  is  a  piece  of  smooth  water  through 
which  a  crossing  is  made  to  the  right  side,  which  is  quite  smooth,  while  the  left  side 
is  very  rough. 

The  last  of  the  series  is  known  as  "  Moberly  Rapid."  It  is  only  a  ripple  caused 
by  some  rocks  on  the  left  side  of  the  river,  in  the  midst  of  a  swift  current.  On  the 
right  side  the  water  is  smooth  enough  for  the  passage  of  the  smallest  craft. 

From  the  head  of  (Irand  Rai)ids  to  Fort  McMurray  is  upwards  of  S5  miles, 
which  is  altogether  too  bad  for  the  present  steamer  to  ascend.  It  is  the  opinion  of 
some  that  with  j^roiter  apjiliances  she  might  succeed  in  doing  so,  but  it  ajijiears  to  me 
that  such  a  project  would  involve  much  expensive  labour  and  considerable  risk. 

Fr.)m  McMurray  to  Fort  Chipewyan  on  Lake  Athabasca,  a  distance  of  about 
I  So  miles  by  the  shortest  channels,  but  nearly  200  by  the  channel  the  steamboat  has 
to  pass  through  in  ordinary  stages  of  water,  there  is  neither  obstacle  nor  hindrance 
to  its  passage.  This  steamer  also  makes  her  way  up  Peace  River  as  far  as  the  fall, 
about  220  miles  from  Chipewyan,  the  only  hindrance  in  this  distance  being  the 
Little  Rapid,  about  100  miles  from  Chipewyan,  and  even  this,  e.xcept  in  very  low 
water,  is  not  serious. 

From  Chipewyan  to  Smith's  Landing  on  Great  Slave  River  there  are  no  serious 
obstacles  to  navigation.  There  is  a  slight  ripple  in  the  channel  between  the  lake  and 
(ireat  Slave  River,  caused  by  a  ledge  of  rock  across  the  outlet  of  the  lake,  and  in 
low  water  the  steamer  sometimes  touches  bottom,  but  never  so  much  as  to  detain  her 
for  any  long  period.  In  Great  Slave  River  there  are  one  or  two  jilaces  where  rock 
ledges  cause  a  ripple,  and  in  low  water  the  greater  part  of  the  channel  is  shallow, 
but  in  all  these  places  there  is  a  part  where  the  water  is  deep  enough  to  attord  the 
.steamer  easy  passage  at  all  times. 

From  Smith's  Landing  to  Fort  Smith,  about  fourteen  miles  by  the  land  or 
jiortage  route  and  about  sixteen  by  the  river,  there  are  numeroas  and  bad   ra|iids 


^j,  CANADA'S    GREAT    GOl-D    I'lHI-D. 

a«Kregaling  about  ^40  feet  fall,  which  puts  all  thought  nf  navigating  it  out  of  the 

question.  .<■,.,  r,>,.t,.   I    miv  as  well  conjoin  with     .  such 

■    '"  ^''"^'""7l"r:^;r'Il  gle^^r        nv   way  L:cerning'the   navigability 

r  th^  wa;er^^^ut;'^;1.:;t^.S^r  the  Arclic  (Lan  and  part  of  (..eat  Slave 

^^^''bn    .y   arrival    at    •;ort  Smith  I  found  the   ^^.lso^.^ay  C^ 

..  Wrigky  ••  there  loading  for  her  ^lown  tr.p     ^;,    •[/;^',^^',^,    "rvati.)ns  to  determine 
30th  Juiv.  an.l  spent  the  grea  er  pa     ''^.  ^^atnigh    getting  ^^^^^^  ^^^^^^ 

L  giograpincal  position.     'Phe  ^°  /-'"f.^  ^^/^^.l!  f  i  ,IS  much  information 
Resolution  on  Great  Save  Lake,  and   ''   ^e  wa>  uo«  ^      ^^e  depths  of  water 

be  sawn  by  hand.     ;^'\'''='^ J"^\,  ,  V ',  »„>,„„  nearly Soo  miles  in  scows,  and  300  on 
horses  ..ver  pretty  bad  roads  '"^"^J  f^«" '^jV'^^  ;^';^^^^^  given  me  by  Captain  Bell 

the  Company's,  steamer  "  ^rahama       Her  d  men^.  >ns  as  g^  y^^  ^^^^  ^^^^^^ 

are  eighty  feet  keel,  fourteen  feet  bean  ,  five  t"/-'^'^"  "'''*•.  f  ^  four-bladed  screw 
and  four  to  f.ve  at  bow.  Her  propeller  .s  '^f;'"  ['  f  ^;f/;hn  Do^rEngine  Co.  of 
with  adjustable  blades.  Her  engme,  '"f "»  ;|^^^  ^^^  hL  abou  eigh  m  les  an  hour. 
Toronto,  with  about  60  pounds  pressure,  ^'  '  ^''^^^ J  'i^''  ""iirements  of  the  Com- 
but  she  can  be  driven  ten.  In  the  course  of  a  f^^^^'^^^Vand  her  maximum  load  is 
pany's  service  necessitate  her  travelling  ^»^«",  /'S^^^.^''^,  [^^  he  two  steamers  plying 
about  thirty  tons.     In  this  connection  1  will  '^^re  sta  .  that  ^"^J  ..  Cirahame  " 

on  the  Athabasca,  Peace  and  Great  ^l^Z^'^^''-^;^^^^^^^  on  lesser 

and  "  Athabasca  "  (the  latter  above  ^'-^^  "^' ^^l^'^I^X-.^'^f  carrying  one  hundred  and 
Slave  Rivers)  are  «^\^-»^°"omed  stern  Y'-:^«[«,5Xey  would  dr'lwtw..  to 

;;;;r;s:!f^s-:^\r^i^^lpl;S^^ 

^!  AtSLi  •  was  bl^l^at  Mh^baica  Landing,  but  in  her  construction  the  a,d  of  a 

Waterous  portable  saw-mill  was  obtained.  pointed  out   to  me  the 

Going  down  the  (ireat  Slave  River  Capt.  Bell  kind  y  1  ointeu  o 

shallow  pLes,  and  gave  me  the  ^'^^^^^trri's'a'clStl  tl  o^^h  i{  vh^triways 
Smith  there  is  an  extensive  »'^^^' ^,^V.  f  ^^'l  tvdSey  "  The  Shallowest  place  in 
affords  plenty  of  water  for  the  If  ^r??' ,  -.s  Miie  slS  "  The  lowest  water  Capt. 
the  nver  is  alongside  an  island  t^' '7"  '^  .  '^'^     ^^'-^^^d-  ^^_^^.^^^^  ^^ 

Bell  ever  experienced  in  the  country,  7^^.^';;  ^>.''^Jr^re  water  there  is  nine  feet, 
have  been  unusually  low,  gave  si.x  f^^^^^^^Ve  wis  htrteei  feet  This  shoal  is 
and  at  date  of    my  P^s-ge  (is    August    there  was  th.r^^^^^^^^  ^^^^^^^  ^^^^^^^^^^ 

about  .00  yards  across,  and  is  on  the  'f  Lrl\nd  nless  in  very  high  water  the 
is  much  the  widest,  but  is  f^'ll  ».f/^^' !^^,  f' 5^' ,?' ^^..'^  \t  ,  the  othe^^arts  of  the 
'.  NN-rigley  "  could  not  get  tlirough  it  <-;M't.  l^l^  ^  ™  ''^  J'^  ,,t  ^s  is  usual  in  all 
river  from  twelve  to  th.rty-s.x^  feet  of  -f  ^  ^^  ^^  whfre  the^  empty  into  the  lake, 
such   places,  tliere  are  bars  across  all  tne  moui  s  j  ^^^^^^ 

On  the  one  through  which  the  ^^7"^*^;.X'?'nedtuu  gives  froV^^  to^even,  but 
five  and  a  half  feet  and  m  high  water  '^'S'^^,'.  ".^    "",f^  H'^\,ind__a  south-westerly 


iig  it  out  of  tlie 

join  witli     c  such 

the   navigability 

t  of  (ireat  Slave 

)mpany's  steamer 
;  afternoon  of  the 

ions  to  determine 
•  started  for  Fo.t 
much  information 
he  depths  of  water 
[ible  I  will  premise 
avels  over.  This 
886,  and  made  her 

as  she  is,  can  be 
onstruction  had  to 
ds  of  too  miles  by 
scows,  and  300  on 
e  by  Captain  Bell 

stern  when  loaded 

four-bladed  screw 
)oty  Engine  Co.  of 
rht  miles  an  hour, 
nents  of  the  Coni- 
maximum  load  is 
wo  steamers  plying 
;tively  "  Grahame  " 
asca  and  on  lesser 
g  one  hundred  and 
V  two-and-a-half  to 
They  are  said  to 
o  not  try  more  than 
,nd   1883,  and  as  in 
,wn  by  hand.     The 
ruction  the  aid  of  a 

ited  out  to  me  the 
n.     Just  below  Fort 
gh  it  which  always 
shallowest  place  in 
:  lowest  water  Capt. 
nerally  admitted  to 
er  there  is  nine  feet, 
ieet.      This  shoal  is 
The  other  channel 
^•ery  high  water  the 
le  other  parts  of  the 
t.     As  is  usual  in  all 
empty  into  the  lake. 
is  in  very  low  water 
jm  six  to  seven,  but 
ij  —  a  south-westerly 
displacement  of  the 
irriva'i,   the   boat   ran 
1'  detention, 
ross  the  Great  Slave 
oUows  :      Two  miles 


IHK    NIKON    DlSIRlCr. 


99 


from  sliore  four  fathoms,  six  ni'les 
twenty  fatlioms.  In  mid-lake  on  the 
way  from  the  moutli  of  tlie  (ireat  Slave 
River  to  tlie  head  of  Mackenzie  River 
he  generally  foimd  upwanls  of  forty 
fathoms,  and  in  places  sixty  fathoms 
gave  no  bottom.  In  the  arm  of  thfc 
lake  on  which  Kort  Rae  is  situated  he 
fumd  fifty  miles  below  Rae  twenty 
f.ahoms,  thirty  miles  from  Rae  three 
fathoms,  eighteen  miles  two  fatiiom.s, 
and  seven  miles  seven  feet,  which 
continues  up  to  Rae.  Tlie  bottom  in 
this  arm  he  found  muddy,  with  many 
boulders  in  it. 

At  the  entrance  to  the  river  from 
the  lake,  the  river  is  very  wide  and  con- 
se(|uently  shallow.  Search  was  made 
here  for  a  suitable  channel  for  the 
steamer,  and  of  course  the  notes  fur- 
nished refer  exclusively  to  this  channel. 
In  ordinary  low  water  this  channel  af- 
fords about  six  feet,  in  very  low  water 
only  five  feet.  In  ordinary  high  water, 
such  as  when  I  jias.sed,  there  would  be 
aho'it  nine  feet,  Init  hi  1888  there  must 
have  been  thirteen  or  fourteen  feet. 
Capt.  Bell  thinks  this  shoal  is  the  re- 
sult of   ice  shoves  by  the  ice  on  the 


Ora  Wold,  Born  at  Fortymile,  November,  1895. 


From  Photo,  by  W.  Of;ihi,: 
Inspector  Stricklanil's  Hoy,  at  Ciulahy,  1895. 

lake,  as  ([uite  close  to  it  on  both  sides 
there  is  twelve  to  fourteen  feet  of 
water.  It  consists  of  gravel,  and  is,  he 
says,  only  about  two  hundred  yards 
across,  so  that  imjiroving  it  would  not 
be  a  very  difficult  i.ndertaking. 

Five  miles  below  this  there  is 
another  shoal  known  as  "Trout  Island 
Shoal."  On  this  in  low  water  there 
is  six  feet  of  water,  but  it  ap|)cars  the 
de|Uli  is  very  irregular,  which  Capt. 
Bell  thinks  is  due  to  the  bottom  being 
scraped  by  ice  and  deiiositcd  in  heaps. 
He  thinks  a  pro])er  search  would  show 
a  deep  channel  all  through  here,  but  it 
woulcl  be  very  crooked,  as  it  would 
wind  about  those  gravel  heaps.  This 
shoal  extends  about  a  mile  and  a  half. 
Through  "  Beaver  Lake  "  in  low  water 
there  is  ten  feet  in  depth,  in  ordinary 
water  twelve  and  in  high  water  four- 
teen. Of  course,  this  refers  to  the 
shallowest  |ilaces  in  it. 

Providence  Rapid,  situatetl  a  little 
above  Fort  rrovideiut  .  gives  five  feet 
in  the  shallowest  plates  in  low  water, 
in  ordinary  stages  six  tt)  seven  feet. 
This    extends    for    about    two    miles. 


y'1 
9. 


ft 
t 
i 


,00  CANADA'S    CRKAT    (U)Ll)    IIELD. 

Hero  as  in  the  f.-renu-ntioned  places,  a  k^o.!  c-han.u-I  n,..l(l  be  found,  but  it  would 
be  ver  •  crooke.i.  so  much  so  that  a  steamer  descend>u«  could  not  keeiMu  U.  \um 
tlus  Hipid  down  to  Rapid  Sans  Sauk  the  least  depth  m  the  lowest  water  was  found 

'"^  \api['Va'ns"  Sault  is  caused  by  a  ledge  of  ro.k  extending  across  the  r.vcr 
Near  tl  e  easterly  shore  the  water  drops  over  this  a  few  niches  and  causes  -."'te  a 
n.mmotion  across' the  easterly  half  <.f  the  river.  In  the  ^-^^-'j'  !;'  ,,  ';'7,i'  ' 
t..  be  a  greater  depth  of  water  and  smoother  current.  It  need  har.  11  be  said  t  lat 
he  steam' b<.at  channel  is  on  the  westerly  side  in  the  '^^^^fl^^^f^'X^^'^J^^ 
the  lowest  water  found  by  C'apt.  Hell,  in  a  year  remarkable  for  the  knv  state  of 
all  the  rivers  in  the  country,  was  six  feet. 

()ve  'he  ledge  of  the  Cascade  Rapids,  which  are  caused  by  an  obstruction  simi- 
lar to  that  at  Rapid  Sans  Sault.  Capt.  Bell  found  nine  feet  in  l;,w  water,  and  eleven 
in  good  water.     The  rapid  is  near  the  head  of  the  "  Ramparts. 

^  Close  to  the  Ramparts  there  is  another  rapid  known  as  "Rampart  Kap  d    ; 
this  also  is  caused  by  rock  bottom  in  the  river.     In  it  -n  lowest  water  Capt    Bel 
gives  the  depth  as  eleven  feet,  and  in  high  water  fifteen.      I  his  extends  about  half  a 

""'"'in  his  various  passages  of  the  Ramparts,  Capt  Bell  has  sounded  without  tiiul- 
ing  bottom  with  fortv  fathoms,  which  was  the  length  of  h.s  sounding  Ime  ha  e 

mentioned  in  my  report  for  1889  that  Sir  Alexander  Mackenzie  found  lift>  fathoms 

*""' Between  the  Ramparts  and  the  delta,  where  the  steamer  leaves  the  main  clian- 
nel  less  than  twelve  feet  depth  was  never  found,  but  Capt.  Bell  says  that  lts>  might 
Ee  found  Through  the  channels  of  the  Delta  to  I'eel  River  no  difficulty  was  ever 

"'P^'Teelti've'^uift'Tbar.  five  miles  below  Fort  McPherson,  average  depth 
of  water  about  fifteen  feet,  on  bar  in  low  water  about  six  feet,  medium  water  seven 

^""'"Count  de  Sainville,  a  French  gentleman  who  went  down  the  Mackenzie  in  1889 
and  spent  much  time  in  making  an  examination  and  rough  survey  of  the  delta  of  the 
Macken"  e  and  Peel  Rivers,  and  the  coast  line  in  the  estuary  of  those  streams  was 
good  enough  to  give  me  all  the  information  in  his  power.     His  description  of    he 
country   nfhis  vidnity  is  interesting,  and  will  be  given  later  on.     He  assured  rne   he 
most  easterly  channel  of  the  delta  is  the  main  one,  and  he  never  found  less  tl  a 
uvelve  feet  depth  in  it  down  to  tide  water.     The  tides  do  not  come  up  more  than  ten 
or  twelve  miles  above  the  ocean,  and  the  rise  is  not  more  than  a  couple  of  feet. 
What  depth  might  be  found  beyond  the  mouth  of  the  river  he  is  not  prepared  to 
say.  but  bars  there  may  naturally  be  looked  for.     This  gentleman  purposes  making 
funher  and  more  complete  examinations  which  will,  no  doubt,  be  of  much  inte  es 
and  value.     He  promised  to  send  me  a  copy  of  his  map  of  the  deta  which  he  told 
me  would  differ  much  from  what  is  usually  shown  on  our  maps.     1  have  not  >et  re- 
ceived it  nor  do  I  expect  it  for  some  months  to  come.  t    t »  •      1 
Before  resuming' the  narrative  of  my  journey,^  will  f-e  some  notes  I  obtaine^^^ 
from  Capt.  Segur,  of   the  steamer  "Athabasca,"  and   Capt.  Bell  of  the  steamer 
"  Wrifflev  "  civing  the  times  over  the  various  parts  of  their  runs. 

Ser'^"  Athabasca,"  2nd  June,  189.,.  ran  from  Athabasca  Landing  down  o 
landing  of  Grand  Rapids,  about  163  miles,  in  eighteen  hours,  with  ^'^  •^'^f^^^^J.^  '" 
tow  Up  trip  started  on  6th  June,  running  time  to  Athabasca  Landing  ort>  -eight 
hours.  Second  trip  down,  13th  July,  running  time  down  fifteen  hours  and  forty^five 
minutes.  In  .890,  her  first  down  trip,  made  the  2nd  of  June  was  doie.n  twenty 
hours  and  fifty  minutes,  and  the  return,  loth  June,  in  fifty  hours.     This  run  was 

made  in  very  low  water.  c«,;tu  th*.  mnct- 

The  "  Wriglev's  "  log  shows  the  following  averages  between  Fort  Smith,  the  most 
southerly  part  of  her  run,  and  Fort  McPherson,  the  most  northerly  ;  the  distance  be- 
ween  tLm  is  about  1,270  miles.     From  Smith  to  Resolution,  "early  all  on  Grea^ 
Slave  River,  average  running  time  about  eighteen  hours  ;  between  Resolution  and 
Providence  about  seventeen  hours,  of  which  one  hundred  and  twenty-one  (121)  i;,  in 


)iin(l,  but  it  wniilil 
ket-p  ill  it  Irom 
t  water  was  fomul 

across  tiie  river, 
iiul  causes  .,>ate  a 
laif  tlu-rc  app"ars 
lardiy  l>f  said  that 
-.  Over  tlie  ledije 
'  the  low  state  of 

II  obstruction  simi- 
water,  and  eleven 

Lanijiart  Rapids  ;  " 
t  water  Capt.  Hell 
:ten(ls  al)oiit  iialf  a 

iided  witliout  tind- 
dinjf  line.  1  have 
■()und  fifty  fathoms 

?es  the  main  chan- 
ays  that  less  mi.ij;ht 
difficulty  was  ever 

son,  averajre  depth 
edium  water  seven 

Mackenzie  in  1889, 
•  of  the  delta  of  the 

those  streams,  was 
,  description  of  the 

He  assured  me  the 
rer  found  less  than 
le  up  more  than  ten 
m  a  couple  of  feet, 
e  is  not  prepared  to 
m  purposes  making 
)e  of  much  interest 
Jelta,  which  he  told 
1  have  not  yet  re- 

me  notes  I  obtained 
Bell  of  the  steamer 

a  Landing  down  to 
th  six  large  boats  in 
Landing  forty-eight 
hours  and  forty-five 
was  done  in  twenty 
)urs.     This  run  was 

Fort  Smith,  the  most 
ly  ;  the  distance  be- 
nearly  all  on  Great 
/een  Resolution  and 
venty-one  (121)  is  in 


IHK    VI'KON    DISTRICIT. 


101 


(ireat  Slave  Lake;  between  Providence  and  yini|)si)n  about  fourteen  hours,  Simpson 
to  \Vrij,'k'y  about  ten  and  a  half  hours,  \Vrij{ley  to  Ndrnian  about  fourteen  hours, 
Norman  to  (lood  Mope  at)out  thirteen  hours,  (lood  Hope  to  .McIMutsoii  about  twenty- 
four  .111(1  a  half  hours.  'I'he  total  running  time  is  t23>lj  hours,  a  tritle  over  ten  and 
a  cpiarter  miles  per  ho'ir. 

On  her  "  u|) "  runs  the  following  avcMgcs  have  been  made,  Mci'her.son  to  (iooti 
Hope  forty  hours,  (lood  Hope  to  Norman  thirty-four  hours,  Norman  to  \Vri('ley 
thirty-nine  hours,  Wrigley  to  Simpson  ninete(;n  hours,  Simp.son  to  i'rovidence  about 
twenty-eight  and  a  half  hours,  I'rovidence  to  Fort  Kae,  not  certain,  a|)pears  to  be 
about  tiiirteen  hours,  I'rovidence  to  Resolution  about  twenty  hours,  ReMiliition  to 
Smith  ai)out  thirty-five  hours.  Resolution  to  Rae  about  fifteen  hours  and  return  about 
the  same,  as  it  is  all  lake  water.  The  duration  of  these  runs  varied  somewhat  by  the 
force  and  direction  of  the  wind.  The  total  nnming  time  from  McPherson  to  Smith, 
as  shown  above,  is  21s!:.'  hours,  which  gives  a  rate  of  5.9  miles  per  hour.  The  mean 
of  the  u])  and  down  rates  is  a  fraction  over  c'ght  miles  per  hour,  which  is  said  to  be 
her  normal  speed. 

1  have  given  the  distance  between  those  jwsts  in  my  report  of  1889,  but  for  con- 
venience of  reference  will  here  recapitulate  them  going  down  stream  : 

Miles. 

Chipewyan  to  Smith, 102.5 

.Smith  to  Resolution, '90-S 

Resolution  to  Providence 167.0 

Providence  to  Simpson, i57S 

Simpson  to  Wrigley, 1,34° 

Wrigley  to  Norman, 180.3 

Norman  to  (lood  Hope, '69.5 

(lood  Hope  to  McPherson, 274.7 

Total 1,376.0 

From  Fort  McPherson,  on  Peel  River,  the  ordinary  route  is  over  tlie  portage, 
about  80  miles  long,  to  La  Pierre's  House  on  the  liell  River. 

This  portage  traverses  a  bad  country  for  summer  travel,  being  both  mountain- 
ous and  swampy.  The  Hudson  Bay  Company  used  it  during  winter  for  the  trans- 
port of  supplies  and  furs  to  and  from  Rampart  Hou.se  and  La  Pierre's  House,  while 
tht)se  po.sts  were  in  existence  (I  understand  they  are  now  abandoned).  Over  this 
portage  during  summer  the  mosquitoes  swarm  in  myriads  during  warm  days,  but 
often  it  is  cool  enough  to  subdue  their  troublesome  propensities. 

If  we  are  fortunate  enough  to  find  Indians  at  McPherson  to  help  over  the  port 
ag-    our  time  of  transit  is  proportionately  abridged,  but  that  we  will  do  so  depends 
much  on  the  time  we  get  there.     Should  we  reach  there  during  the  fishing  season 
they  will  be  loth  to  accompany  us  ;  and  even  if  we  found  them  disengaged,  several 
days  may  be  wasted  inducing  them  to  go. 

To  avoid  this  portage  we  may  go  up  a  stream,  called  Trout,  Poplar  or  Rat 
River,  flowing  from  the  watershed  of  the  Yukon  into  Peel  River,  some  14  miles 
below  McPhenson.     For  about  20  miles  this  is  tranquil  and  easy  of  ascent. 

'i'here  is  a  lake  about  18  miles  up  which  is  such  a  maze  of  islands,  that  unless 
we  have  a  good  guide  much  time  may  be  lost  in  finding  the  river  on  the  other  side, 
doing  up  keep  the  right-hand  or  northerly  channel.  A  few  miles  above  the  lake 
we  reach  the  base  of  the  mountains  in  which  this  stream  rises,  and  through  which 
we  have  to  go  about  24  miles  to  McDougall  Pass.  In  this  last  distance  the  river 
falls  between  1,100  and  1,200  feet,  and  is  consetpiently  very  rough.  Except  in  spring 
freshet  it  is  very  shallow  and  is  also  very  rocky.  The  best  way  to  get  up  this,  in 
fact,  it  might  be  said  the  only  way  (in  parts,  at  least),  is  to  wade  in  the  water  and 
haul  our  boat  along  by  iiand. 

McDougall  Pass  is  a  broad,  flat  valley,  joining  the  valley  of  the  Trout,  or  Pop- 
lar, and  the  valley  of  Hell  River.     Two  creeks  run  in  it,  one  flowing  into  Trout  and 


102 


CANADAS    (iKKAT    (JOl.D    MKM). 


the  other  into  Ticll  River.  One  camiot  very  well  mistake  tlie  pass,  on  ai.ronnt  nf  its 
wulth  and  tlatiiess,  and  the  fart  tliat  the  creeit  joiiiiii^j  Iroiit  River  flows  into  it 
through  a  narrow  gate-like  gorge  in  the  rocks.  Over  the  pass  to  Hell  River  is  8 
miles,  and  it  is  i)rol)ai)lo  everything  will  have  to  be  carried  across  it.  The  creeks 
are  all  too  small  to  take  a  loaded  boat  through  except  in  high  water. 

Down  Hell  River  to  I,a  I'ierre's  House  is  about  40  miles  of  easy  water,  deei) 
enough  for  such  boats  as  we  are  likely  to  take  with  us.  From  I,a  I'ierre's  House 
down  Hell  River  to  the  Porcupine  is  between  .^o  and  40  miles,  and  down  the  Porcu- 
pine to  the  ^'ukon  is  225  miles  in  an  air  line,  and  probably  350  by  the  river.  In 
1873.  Mr.  James  McDougall  of  the  Hudson  li.iy  Company  made  soundings  in  those 
two  river.s  to  determine  if  steamboats  could  go  up  to  La  Pierre's  House.  Tiie 
water  was  unusually  low  at  the  time,  and  he  found  five  shallow  places  between  la 
Pierre's  House  and  the  Yukon.  The  first  of  those  from  I, a  Pierre's  House,  known 
as  Sinclair  Rapicis.  a  short  distance  below  the  house,  gave,  in  the  shallowest  pla(  e, 
three  feet  si.K  inches.  Next,  a  short  distance  below  Hell  River,  in  the  Porcupnie, 
he  found  only  two  feet  eight  inches,  but  he  tonsiders  this  easy  of  improvement,  be- 
ing a  barrier  of  soft  sand-stone  rock  only  about  150  yards  acro.ss.  The  other  three 
places  are  between  the  boundary  and  the  Yukon,  and  are  in  the  order  of  descent 
three  feet  ten  inches,  three  feet  six  inches,  and  three  feet  four  inches.  At  one  of 
those  points  there  is  an  island,  and  he  naturally  took  the  widest  channel  for  the 
deepest,  but  afterwards  was  informed  that  the  narrowest  channel  was  quite  deej). 

I  may  say  that  it  was  by  the  Trout  River  and  McDougall  Pass  that  Harper 
and  his  associates  made  their  way  from  Peel  River  to  Hell  River,  and  he  informed 
me  the  only  way  they  could  get  their  boat  along  in  the  upper  part  of  Trout  River 
was  to  wade  up  the  stream  and  haul  it  a.'tcr  iliem,  often  dragging  it  over  rocks  and 
shallow  places  where  there  was  not  sufficient  water  to  float  it.  This  was  about  Jui^ 
1st,  1873.     They  reached  Yukon  on  the  15th. 

I  came  through  this  route  on  my  way  from  Hell  River  to  Peel  River  in  June, 
1888,  and  found  much  ice  and  snow  in  McDougall  Pass  at  that  time.  Several 
small  lakes  in  the  pass  were  still  covered  with  solid  ice  on  the  15th  of  that  month. 
On  my  way  do'vn  the  rough  part  of  Trout  River  I  generally  sat  astriile  the  stern  of 
the  canoe,  my  fc  hanging  in  the  water,  and  they  often  touched  bottom.  I  did  this 
to  fmd  the  shallow  places,  and  check  the  rate  of  the  canoe  in  going  over  them. 

•  luay  here  mention  that  very  bad  places  may  be  gone  down  in  this  way,  or,  still 
better,  if  we  have  poles,  by  putting  them  on  the  bottom  and  arresting  the  speed  of 
the  boat,  we  can,  with  a  little  experience,  keep  it  under  perfect  control  and  jiut  it 
just  where  we  want  to.  Of  course  in  deep  water  this  does  not  apply,  but  in  deep 
water  we  do  not  run  risk  of  breaking  our  boat,  though  she  may  be  swamped. 

From  the  mouth  of  the  Porcu])ine,  up  the  Yukon  to  Daw.son  is  oout  300  miles, 
and  if  we  are  fortunate  enough  to  find  a  steamer  at  Fort  Yukon,  this  will  be  passed 
in  about  a  week,  but  if  we  have  to  make  our  own  way  up,  it  will  take  at  least  three 
weeks,  or  it  may  be  a  month,  much  depending  on  the  weather  and  stage  of  the 
water,  also  much  on  the  kind  of  boat  we  have. 

When  we  take  into  consideration  the  fact  that  the  ice  remains  on  Great  Slave 
Lake  until  about  the  first  of  July,  unless  we  pass  that  body  of  water  by  sleighs  it 
will  be  seen  that  we  cannot  reach  Dawson  much  earlier  than  the  middle  of  August. 
If  we  secure  passage  down  the  Mackenzie  by  one  or  other  of  the  small  stcimers  ply- 
ing on  that  river  we  will  probably  shorten  the  time  of  our  journey  8  or  10  days  ;  but 
it  is  well  to  bear  in  mind  that  these  boats  were  not  intended  to  make  regular  trips, 
nor  do  they.  They  are  run  in  the  interest  and  for  the  convenience  of  the  owners, 
the  Hudson  Bay  Company  and  Roman  Catholic  Mission. 

On  the  Yukon  Ri  .'er  it  is  pretty  safe  to  assume  we  shall  not  have  long  to  wait 
for  a  steamer  next  summer,  there  will  be  so  many  running  between  St.  Michael's  and 
Dawson  ;  but  it  can  hardly  be  as  e"ted  that  any  one  line  of  boats  will  make  regular 
trips,  for  their  time  of  arrival  and  departure  at  and  from  St.  Michael's,  the  ocean  jjort 
near  the  mouth  of  the  river,  is  subject  to  much  interference  by  winds  and  tides. 

Another  proposed  route  from  Edmonton  follows  the  road  to  Athabasca  Land- 
ing as  already  referred  to,  thence  up  the  Athabasca  River  about  69  miles  to  Lesser 


on  mroiint  of  its 
Uver  flows  into  it 

to  Itcll  River  is  8 
«  it.  The  trt'eks 
er. 

f  easy  water,  lict-p 
La  Pierre's  House 

down  the  I'orcii- 

l)y  tlic  river.  In 
loundings  in  those 
rre's  House,  'liie 
ilaces  between  I, a 
re's  House,  known 
:  shallowest  pla<  e, 
,  in  the  Porcupine, 
■  improvement,  be- 
I'he  other  three 
le  order  of  descent 
inches.  M  one  of 
;st  channel  for  the 
was  quite  deep. 

Pass  that  Harper 
L*r,  and  he  informed 
nirt  of  Trout  River 
;  it  over  rocks  anil 
^his  was  about  Jul_, 

Peel  River  in  June, 
that  time.     Several 
5th  of  that  month. 
,  astride  the  stern  of 
bottom.     I  dk\  this 
ng  over  them, 
in  this  way,  or,  still 
resting  the  speed  of 
t  control  and  put  it 
apply,  but  in  deep 
je  swamped, 
is    Dout  300  miles, 
this  will  be  passed 
take  at  least  three 
T  and  stage  of  the 

lains  on  Great  Slave 
water  by  sleighs  it 

e  middle  of  August. 

;  small  steamers  ply- 

t;y  8  or  10  days  ;  but 
make  regular  trips, 

ience  of  the  owners, 

)t  have  long  to  wait 
;en  St.  Michael's  and 
Us  will  make  regular 
hael's,  the  ocean  port 
winds  and  tides, 
to  Athabasca  Land- 
;  69  miles  to   Lesser 


THK    Yl  K(>\    DiSlRICT. 


103 


Slave  River,  np  that  river  about  60  miles,  the  lower  20  miles  r)f  which  is  all  rapiiU 
an('  in  low  water  dirtictilt  of  ascent,  .\long  Lesser  Slave  Lake  some  '15  or  70  miles 
to  Lesser  Slave  Lake  Post,  at  the  head  of  the  lake. 

Anotlier  part  of  this  route,  anti  the  part  which  appears  to  have  been  adopted  by 
the  people  in  the  vicinity  of  Kdmoiitoii,  runs  north  westward  from  Kdinoiuini  10 
Lesser  Slave  Lake  Post  at  the  west  end  of  Lesser  Slave  Lake.  This  ilistaiue  is 
about  200  miles,  -jf  which  about  50  brings  us  to  the  crossing  of  the  IVmlima  River, 
an  inconsiderable  stream  about  70  yards  wide,  and  not  ilirticiiit  to  cross  ;  abmit  2(t 
more  brings  us  to  the  Athabasca  River,  which  is  about  200  yards  wide  and  geiuraily 
deep  enough  for  u  boat  drawing  two  or  three  feet  of  water.  Ihe  lirst  20  or  30  miles 
of  the  distance  from  Ldmonton  is  over  fine  |)rairie  country,  anil  a  few  nnles  farther 
on  we  strike  the  great  northern  forest.  The  part  between  the  .Xtliabasca  and  Lessee 
Slave  Lake  is  re|)orted  somewhat  hilly,  which  is  veril'ied  by  its  a|)|H'ar.iiice  from 
Lesser  Slave  Lake,  but  doubtless  a  way  auitahle  for  a  road  of  any  kind  can  i»e  found 


LookiiiK  up  the  Canyon  on  Kortymilc.         ^''''""  '"'"'^'-  ''>  "•  ^■<''- "' 

over  it.  Years  ago  the  Hudson  Hay  Company  had  a  i)ack  trail  from  Kdmonton  to 
Lesser  Slave  Lake  Post,  by  nearly  the  same  route  as  the  proposed  one,  but  it  has 
been  abandoned  for  the  river  route  many  years. 

Sufificient  lumber  of  suitable  quality  will  be  found  along  this  route  for  its  needs. 

The  surface  is  described  as  ridgy  and  swampy  alternately. 

.\  road  is  now  in  progress  over  this  country. 

For  a  more  detailed  account  of  this  part  of  the  North-west  see  report  of  Dr.  (».  Nf. 
Dawson,  Appendix  i,  in  the  Cieological  Survey  Rejiort  f:)r  1S79-.S0. 

1  will  just  cite  it  to  say  that  gold  is  found  in  paying  ipiantities  on  the  Upper 
Athabasca. 

From  Lesser  Slave  Lake  Post  we  have  a  fair  cart  road,  cut  out  some  years  ago 
by  the  Hudson  Hay  Company  to  Peace  River,  a  distance  of  about  86  mile.s,  through 
a  weli-wooded  country  with  some  patches  of  prairie  and  swampy  meadow  in  it,  and 


r 


104 


CANADAs  (;ri;at  col, I)   lIKLh 


I-. 

I' 


from  IVare  River  westward  to  lort  huiiveKan.  •>  clistaiuf  of  ahout  60  miles,  wp  pass 
over  a  m.niniliceiit  |)if(  e  of  jjark-likf  country,  hut  at  Dunvt-naii  we  aKim  strike  tiie 
C'cl>;e  of  tho  yrcat  iiortlierii  forests,  and  from  tiiere  to  tiie  l.iaril  River  the  eonntrv  is 
sotiiewli.it  inlly,  intersected  l)y  very  dee|)  (gulches  and  valleys  and  all  densely  wooded, 
alterii.it m^  rul);es  covered  with  f.iir  tiniher  and  swamp  lovered  with  moss  and  scriih 
From  |)uiive)j;an  to  Dawson  in  an  air  hue  is  ai)out  900  miles,  and  from  DunveKan  to 
Felly  Lake  on  the  he.id  of  the  I'elly  River  in  .111  air  line  \h  about  600  miles,  and  at 


present  tliere  is  no  available  continuous  route 

Kx.imination  of  the  inlerveniny  country  wi 
foil  


presumably  be  soon    made.     To 

tains 

"K  it 


follow  up  llie  valley  of  tlie  I'e.n c,  as  1  believe  it  is  proposeil,  and  cross  the  nioun 
into  I'.riiish  Cohimbia,  will  leii>ithen  the  route  to  I'elly  Lake  materially,  maku.^  .. 
700  miles  or  more,  but  it  will  dellect  it  into  an  old  j,M)ld  mininj;  district  —  the  head 
waters  of  the  I'eacc  —  where  ^ood  pay  may  yet  be  fouiul. 

A  few  years  a^o  some  miners  were  workin;,'  on  the  Peace  in  the  vicinity  of  Fort 
St.  {(iliii.  .iiid  it  will  be  remembered  that  it  was  from  the  head  of  Peace  River  that 
Harjier  and  his  associates  sl.irted  in  187J.  'I'lie  first  two  or  three  hundreil  miles  of 
either  of  these  routes  will  not  be  very  diftirult,  but  the  remaining!  portion  will  likely 
prove  more  mountainous  and  difficult,  anil  probably  similar,  in  surface  characteristics 
at  least,  to  the  north-western  portion  of  Canada,  and  Alaska  —  that  is,  mountain 
ridVHS  aiternatinjj  with  (le<  p  valleys  and  swamps,  which  will  much  increase  the 
length  of  any  route  constructed  through  it. 

CAKIllOO    .\N1)   CASSAIK    kOUTK. 

A  route  is  beiiiy  proposetl  from  some  point  on  the  C!anadian  Pacific  Railway  in 
the  interior  of  Hritish  Columbia,  through  what  is  called  the  Cariboo  or  Cassair  Dis- 
trict. Time  will  no  doubt  tievelop  the  necessity  for  such  a  route  as  this,  as  the 
country  ail  along  it  will  be  found  generally  good  from  the  mineralogist's  point  of 
view,  and  in  the  future  will  no  doubt  be  part  of  a  continuous  railway  system  from 
the  boundary  line  northwards  to  the  Yukon. 

Irom  some  point  on  the  Canadian  Pacific  Railway,  about  midway  across  British 
Colunibi.i  to  the  Stikine  River  at  or  near  Telegraph  Creek,  is  about  500  miles  in  an 
air  line,  aiul  presumably  this  does  not  offer  any  more  serious  obstacles  to  the  con- 
struction of  a  road  than  a  like  distance  in  any  other  part  of  the  Province. 

The  remaining  routes  to  be  mentioned  all  leave  some  point  on  the  coast,  and  we 
make  our  way  northward  by  ship  to  whatever  point  we  wish  to  make  our  departure 
from  for  the  interior. 

STIKINK  ROUTi:. 

F'irst,  we  will  glance  at  the  proposed  Stikine  Route.  From  Victoria  to  Port 
Simpson,  the  most  northern  port  in  British  Columbia,  a  distance  of  upwards  of  600 
miles,  sailing  is  easy,  through  continuous  inland  tidal  waters.  If  we  have  to  make 
our  way  entirely  in  British  vessels  we  can  take  a  river  steamer  at  Port  Simpson,  and 
watching  for  a  favourable  opportunity  to  cross  Dixon  F^ntrance  (some  60  miles 
across),  170  miles  brings  us  to  the  mouth  of  the  Stikine  River.  Up  this  river  about 
150  miles  brings  us  to  a  point  where  it  is  hoped  in  a  few  months  we  will  have  a  good 
road,  if  nut  a  railway,  giving  communication  with  the  head  of  'J'eslin  Lake.  From 
the  river  to  the  head  of  the  lake  is  about  150  miles.  Down  this  lake  about  65  miles, 
and  ilown  the  river  of  the  same  name  —  or,  as  it  is  known  by  the  miners,  the  Hoota- 
liiiqua  —  about  135  miles  to  the  Lewis  River.  A  track  survey  of  this  lake  and  river 
was  recently  made  by  Mr.  Arthur  St.  Cyr,  D.L.S.,  for  the  Canadian  Government,  and 
the  distances  given  are  his.  He  says  the  lake  and  river  are  easily  navigable  for 
ordinary  river  boats.  He  went  down  in  October  when  the  water  was  10  to  12  feet 
lower  than  high  water  mark,  from  which  we  may  safely  assume  that  it  is  safely 
navigable  all  the  way.  He  got  into  shallow  water  two  or  three  times,  but  only  where 
there  was  more  than  one  channel,  and  he  took  the  wrong  one.  Trial  found  the  other 
channel  deep  enougli  for  ordinary  river  boats.  From  the  mouth  of  the  Hootalincpiu 
to  Dawson  is  about  330  miles,  with  only  one  hindrance  to  continuous  easy  navigation, 


IIIK    Yl'KON    DISI'RICr. 


les 


3  miles,  wc  p.^Hs 
i^.im  strike  tlu- 
•  ilitr  roimtry  is 
Ifuscly  w«)t>iictl. 
moss  and  scrub 
)m  Dnnvfuaii  to 
30  inilts,  aiul  at 

iooii  made.  To 
ss  thf  iiKUiiUaius 
riaily,  makiiiK  it 
strict  — tlie  lieail 

!  vicinity  of  I'ort 
I'eace  River  tiiai 
luiiulreil  miles  of 
)ortion  will  likely 
,ce  characterislii>> 
:hat  is,  moiiiuaiu 
iich  increase  the 


I'acific  Railway  m 
)o  or  Cassair  Dis- 
ite  as  this,  as  the 
ralo^ist's  point  of 
ilway  system  from 

way  across  British 

It  500  miles  in  an 

tacles  to  the  con- 

•ovince. 

1  the  coast,  and  we 

ake  our  departure 


m  Victoria  to  I'ori 
of  upwards  of  600 
we  have  to  make 
Port  Simpson,  and 
ice  (some  60  miles 
Up  this  river  about 
ve  will  have  a  good 
eslin  Lake.     From 
ake  about  65  miles, 
miners,  the  Hoota- 
this  lake  and  river 
in  Government,  an'l 
easily  navigable  for 
•  was  10  to  12  feet 
ne  that  it  is  safely 
mes,  but  only  where 
rial  found  the  other 
of  the  Hootalinqua 
lous  easy  navigation, 


that  is  the  Five  FinKer<<.  riicM-  arc  not  lnnK,  (ouHiHtm^'  of  >imply  a  dip  whi(  li  in 
canned  by  barrirrs  ol  nx  k  st.mdinn  in  l\\v  i  li.miul,  b.tikm;;  tlir  w.ittr  up  mi  tli.it  tiu- 
water  ai)nve  the  kk  ks  i>  a  Innt  or  two  ln};iH'i'  than  tliat  nnnuili.iti'ly  below.  Alino!«l 
everyone  runs  these  ;  many,  however,  in  destendn\>;,  Hhi|)  water,  but  I  faiuy  lliiH  in 
diie  to  tlif  fa(  t  that  they  liurry  their  boat  thronnii,  niakmii  Iut  1  ut  into  the  sw«'l! 
below  iiiste.id  of  rai>«iHg  011  it  a>.  she  woulil  tlo  if  allowed  to  ■liilt  tl)roii;;li.  In  1S1J5, 
oil  :iiy  w.iy  down,  I  r.m  down  the  left  side  of  the  ri\er  at  this  pomt  .iiid  found  i;ooc!. 
MuootJi  water  all  the  w.iy  through.  I  he  (haniiel  was  somewhat  irooked,  but  not 
enough  so  to  v.ause  any  ditilicul'y  or  anxiety  in  keeping  the  boat  in  the  right  place. 
The  channel  generally  run  is  on  the  righthaiid  side,  and  here  there  is  cpiite  a  dip 
and  a  l.iine  swell  at  the  foot.  I',  in.iy  l)i'  toiind,  however,  th.it  at  .iiiother  st.me  of  the 
w.iter  the  (  hannel  011  the  left  sioe  wouhl  be  iinpassalile.  W'luii  I  went  there  in  |.S(^:^ 
the  rivL-r  was  some  live  feet  higher  th.m  the  aver.tge  at  the  s.iine  d.ite,  and  this  m.iy 
account  for  the  easy  passage  on  that  side.  From  there  to  Dawson  there  is  nothing 
in  the  way,  except  we  wish  to  run  over  a  ripple  some  six  miles  below  the  Five  I'ingers, 
called  Riiik  Rapids.  ;\t  this  point  a  rocky  b.irrier  extends  about  iialf  w.iy  .umoss  the 
stream,  and  on  the  left-haiul  side  there  is  some  roii),'h  water,  but  the  right-hand  is 
|)erfectly  smooth  and  alfords  a  channel  of  six  feet  in  depth  almost  anywhere.  I'lie 
overland  trip  to  Teslin  Lake  is  over  a  hilly,  undulating  country,  which  oilers  no 
serious  obstacle  to  the  construction  of  a  railway  ;  in  fact,  it  might  be  said  a  railway 
coulil  be  constructed  over  it  almost  as  (pii(  kly  as  a  wagon  road,  it  is  expected  tli.it 
next  summer  there  will  be  e.tsy  means  of  ingress  by  this  route,  it  is  reported  that  a 
com|)any  is  now  engaged  |)utting  horses  and  sleighs  on  it,  forming  a  continuous 
through  line  from  the  moulli  of  the  Stikine  to  'i'eslin  Lake. 

The  Hudson  Bay  Com|)any's  steamer  "Caleilonia  "  made  two  trips  from  I'rtrt 
Simpson  to  the  Stikiiio  River,  and  up  il  to  'l'elegrai)h  Creek,  in  1.S96,  and  two  in  1.S97. 
Her  iiMining  time  from  Simi>son  to  U'rangel,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Stikine,  averaged 
about    16   hours.     She  draws  when   loaded  4  feet,  and  only  (jii  the  liilal  Hats  at  the 


From  Photo,  by  \V.  Ot^ilvi,- 
.\laska  C'nmmorcial  C'd.'s  Warehouse  in  course  of  crectimi  at   Dawson,  July,    1S97. 


io6 


CANADA'S    GREAT    (U)LU    FIELD. 


mouth  of  tlic  rivjr  was  slie  Ixithered  by  shallow  water.  At  some  points  short  bends 
with  a  swift  current  recjuired  the  aid  of  a  line  to  surmount,  but  this  was  more  to  keep 
her  in  the  channel  than  to  help  up. 

Sudilen  rises  in  the  river  also  bring  down  lots  of  driftwood,  which  compel  tying 
up  until  it  abates. 

Her  average  time  of  ascent  was  al)0Ut  37  hours,  exclusive  of  the  time  lost  wood- 
ing up.  Her  average  time  of  descent  was  about  14  hours,  including  time  wooding 
up  and  all  stops.  This  boat  is  150  feet  long,  24  feet  4  inch  beam,  two  engines,  cyl- 
inders 16-inch  bore  and  6  feet  stroke  ;  steam  pressure  allowed  130  lbs.;  averaj^e  used 
90.  Wheel  makes  ordinarily  24  revolutions  per  minute  in  dead  water,  but  ascending 
swift  current  as  many  as  35  are  made.  Her  average  rate  in  dead  water  is  about 
loj^  miles  per  hour.  Her  rate  up  the  Stikine  is  i.bout  4  miles  per  hour  and  down 
about  12^. 

T.\KU    ROUTE. 

The  next  route  in  order  northward  is  the  proposed  Taku  route.  From  Fort 
Wrangel,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Stikine,  to  the  mouth  of  the  Taku  Inlet,  is  about  160 
miles,  or  nearly  800  miles  from  Victoria  or  Vancouver.  This  inlet  is  about  18 
miles  in  depth,  and  near  its  upper  end  the  Taku  River  discharges  its  waters.  During 
June,  July  and  part  of  August  the  stage  of  water  will  permit  the  use  of  good-sized 
boats,  and  it  is  claimed  for  it  that  steamboats  drawing  three  or  four  feet  of  water  can 
nscend  it  some  60  miles  during  this  term.  This  remains  to  be  proved,  however  ;  but 
there  is  no  doubt  that  we  can  ascend  it  to  The  Forks  in  a  fair-sized  boat  carrying  two 
or  three  tons.  From  The  Forks,  some  nine  miles  up,  to  the  confluence  of  the  Slocoh 
and  Nakinah,  we  can  continue  in  fair  stages  of  water,  but  from  there  everything  has 
to  be  packed.  The  Indian  route  from  this  point  to  the  head  of  Teslin  Lake  passes 
over  a  mountainous  country,  with,  in  some  places,  very  steep  climbing,  for  a  distance 
of  eight  or  nine  miles,  when  we  reach  an  elevated  plateau,  as  it  may  be  termed,  over 
which  travel  is  easier,  to  the  head  of  the  lake.  Several  miners  attempted  entry  by 
this  route,  and  some  came  out,  but  all  unite  in  condemning  it  as  a  pack  trail.  It  may 
be  that  a  road  will  be  constructed  through  this  way,  as  one  is  now  in  contemplation, 
but  for  a  convenient  present  route,  for  unaided  individual  effort,  it  need  not  be  con- 
sidered. The  head  of  Taku  Inlet  is  generally  pretty  well  filled  with  ice  from  the 
Taku  glacier  discharging  a  couple  of  miles  above  the  mouth  of  the  Taku  River, 
which  in  summer  renders  it  a  somewhat  risky  harbour,  and  in  winter  this  ice  some- 
times freezes  together  and  blocks  the  whole  head  of  the  inlet. 

The  navigability  of  the  river  is  also  very  uncertain.  No  attempt  has  yet  been 
made,  and  while  it  is  admitted  it  might  be  navigable  two  or  three  months,  it  is  not 
stated  as  a  general  fact.  From  the  head  of  Teslin  Lake  we  have  already  described 
in  connection  with  the  Stikine  route. 


WHITE   PASS. 

Some  100  miles  further  up  the  coast  we  come  to  the  White  Pass  and  Dyea  Pass. 
The  first  of  these  starts  at  the  mouth  of  the  Skaguay  River,  some  two  miles  from  the 
head  of  Dyea  Inlet.  For  about  four  miles  the  route  goes  over  an  alluvial  flat  cov- 
ered with  fair  timber,  and  from  this  point  to  the  summit,  about  11  miles,  it  follows 
along  the  hillside  bordering  the  valley,  ascending  and  descending  over  rough,  broken, 
r^cky  surface,  crossing  and  recrossing  the  little  river  several  times,  until  at  the  sum- 
mit., although  we  are  only  2,600  feet  above  the  sea,  (the  summit  on  the  travelled  trail 
is  200  or  300  feet  higher)  we  aggregate  possibly  5,000  feet  actual  climbing.  As  this 
route  has  been  travelled  considerably  there  will  be  no  difficulty  in  finding  one's  way 
on  it,  but  it  may  be  of  interest  to  give  the  following  details. 

From  the  wharf  at  Skaguay  for  3}^  miles  we  have  easy  travelling  over  an 
alluvial  flat  rising  about  140  feet.  Here  we  leave  the  flat  and  go  up  a  gulch  to 
Black  Lake,  about  i^  miles,  and  rise  about  400  feet.  We  continue  along  the  hill- 
side up  and  down  to  the  summit  of  Porcupine  Hill,  about  1,000  feet  above  Black 
Lake,  and  3^  miles  distant  from  it.     From  here  we  descend  about  500  feet  in  one 


oints  short  bends 
was  moro  to  keep 

hich  compel  tying 

he  time  lost  wood- 
iliiiK  time  wooding 
,  two  engines,  cyl- 
Ibs.;  avera.'Te  used 
Iter,  but  ascending 
lead  water  is  about 
er  hour  and  down 


route.     From  Fort 
Inlet,  is  about  i6o 
;    inlet  is  about  18 
its  waters.    During 
le  use  of  good-sized 
ur  feet  of  water  can 
oved,  however  ;  but 
;d  boat  carrying  two 
uence  of  the  Slocoh 
here  everything  has 
Teslin  Lake  passes 
nbing,  for  a  distance 
may  be  termed,  over 
i  attempted  entry  by 
I  pack  trail.     It  may 
3W  in  contemplation, 
,  it  need  not  be  con- 
;d  with  ice  from  the 
of  the  Taku  River, 
winter  this  ice  some- 

ittempt  has  yet  been 
■ee  months,  it  is  not 
.ve  already  described 


Pass  and  Dyea  Pass, 
le  two  miles  from  the 
;r  an  alluvial  flat  cov- 
,  II  miles,  it  follows 
g  over  rough,  broken, 
nes,  until  at  the  sum- 
on  the  travelled  trail 
lal  climbing.  As  this 
y  in  finding  one's  way 

iy  travelling  over  an 
nd  go  up  a  gulch  to 
intinue  along  the  hill- 
,000  feet  above  Black 
bout  500  feet  in  one 


Till':    YUKON    Dl.SlRICT. 


107 


/■roM  I'hoto.  by  IT.  rv/ZrvV. 

I.ookiiiL;  tip  Vukiiii  Valley  from  Mountain  Top  l^ast  of  nawson.       Mouth  of  Klomlikc  in 

l.fft  I'lirt'tjiound. 

mile,  when  we  cross  the  Skaguay  River,  and  from  there  ascend  about  300  feet  in 
^yi  miles,  crossing  tiie  creek  again,  and  ascentling  the  hillside  1,000  feet  in  ai:)out 
lyi  miles,  which  we  keep  along  about  one  mile  oti  a  higii  level  to  the  foot  of  tlie 
steep  summit  slope,  going  down  about  100  feet  to  it.  Up  it  we  go  about  900  feet  to 
the  summit  on  the  trail.  The  surface  travelled  over  is  very  irregular  and  rough  ; 
most  of  the  way  we  are  continually  going  up  and  down  hill  over  knolls  and  gulches 
on  the  hillside.  From  the  summit  to  the  head  of  Lake  Bennett,  about  24  miles,  the 
route  winds  through  a  rocky,  glaciated  country,  much  broken  by  valleys,  so  that  we 
aggregate  much  more  climbing  in  this  last  part.  However,  during  the  months  of 
February,  March  and  April  —  and  May,  it  may  also  be  claimed  —  much  of  this  will  be 
filled  with  snow,  the  surface  smoother  and  less  difficult  to  travel  over,  and  it  may  be 
found  that  this  is  the  better  route  of  the  two. 

THE   DVEA   OR    CIIII.COOT   PASS   ROUTE. 

The  Dyea  Pass  leaves  the  head  of  Dyea  Inlet  and  for  the  first  eight  mJles  from 
tidewater  up  to  the  foot  of  the  cai-ion  the  route  is  easy  ;  nothing  worse  than  a  few 
rocks  which  were  left  in  the  terminal  moraine  of  a  glacier  have  to  be  encountered, 
and  this  only  for  a  short  distance  here  and  there.  The  rise  in  this  is  about  .300  feet. 
From  the  foot  of  the  caiion  the  route  winds  along  the  hillside,  and  a  few  steep,  short 
climbs  have  to  be  made  as  we  go  along,  until  we  come  to  the  second  crossing 
of  the  creek.  This  is  the  worst  part  of  this  trail,  for  it  is  all  heavily  wooded  and  the 
surface  rough  and  covered  with  decayed  vegetable  matter  which  in  spots  is  worked 
into  deep  mud  by  the  animals  passing  over  it.     The  worse  spots  have  been  crt)sslaid. 

At  the  lower  end  of  the  canon  we  cross  the  creek  to  the  left  or  east  side. 
Unless  in  very  high  water  this  is  not  difficult,  as  the  water  is  only  a  coujile  of  feet 


jgj.  CANADA'S   GREA'l'    GOLD   FIELD. 

yards.  About  10/2  miles  from  ^'f  ^^^^^f.  ''^" 'e  the  sea  In  the  intervening  d.s- 
Lad  of  the  cafton,  which  'V^'""'„^T,e''L!?sL  level  We  keep  up  the  ri^ht  or 
tance  the  highest  P'^''^ '^  ^'"' >; '^°V  .n  Sheen^-^nlp  w  we  atjain  cross  the 
we.t  side  of  the  creek  about  i  ^  mdes  to  bheep  v.amp  ^^nen  wc     ^ 

*«.  .0  .l.e  east  sicje  ;  i,>  ...is  ^f'^^^^^  triSMT,.!  'Z,\  r,...«h 
Seeder  eil'S'Jili  :|"v,,io,,>,v^^^^^^^^ 

From  stone  House  the  surface  is  more  fj'^  ,''"'!  \'^^,i'^tXchfs  ^^^^^^^^^^^ 

risen  above  the  tnnber  and  s„  ,,^ 

bered  ground      Abo      half  a  mle  from  ^^.^^^   .^  ^^^^^  ^^^  ^^^^  ^^^        ^^^,„. 

right  or  west  side  of  the  creek,  ^"^  ^"P  tnvellinLr  ?nd  rise  about  goo  feet  over 
House.     From  this  point  l^J^^A^tL  '      F    m  this  there  is  a  sharp  ascent  to 

r^ougI^7c^-^"l  -Sc^Str^^^^^^  '-e  ^ris  part  is 

Hifficult,  and  i..  spots  dangerous.  follows  the  bed  of  the  creek 

After  the  s.,ow  has  covered  all  *= /"-^^  ^(','1^  ^^^^   hltoot  of  the  steep  slope 

'^  ^t^^,rl\/ttTu?faTeTe°s'h:7a;;dV:  LVh'a^;!  cut  steps  ,u  the  steep 

"'X:£'Z.Uy  >c  Wilso,,  traders  at  "/- ^t'e  ^fSrafco  ".t^rthS'l^: 
;l;r;S:,:o.frf  SZ;  .i„f  ."."T  u;e'u«r,r?'„f"Xlr  i,.,er'ferh.g  „i.h^he 
public  use  of  it,  at  least  as  tar  as  miners  »"  co..'er.,etL  ^^^^  ^^^ 

„d^rs:sS^rs^:;=^'tSffS  u^  J^ 

^\S"- ..^a:s'|^d\    t;^  t^aU^  a„d_a™.s  .1.  sharp 

descent,  not  reaching  the  level  «f^^,JVlr%  over      saves  about  a  mile  of  packing, 
trail  goes  right  down  to  the  lake  ^"'^ 'J./'^  ,>  "  ,J  „i'^'',\''  till  take  us  about  a  mile 

;£ar  L';\,';:"  btcr  u;i'"^idd^.™oVjr  „rst"i^^";  ^ 

""""^s  have  been  drive,,  over  the  p..ss  .0  Lake  I;"-^--;^-,,'l'-/:, S 
little  tor  then.  .0  eat  on  the  north  s.de  of  the  *""'''.  "'"^  take  pi-n.y  "f  l"<l<le' 
matter,  a..d  all  contemplat,„g  '»I<'"S  '°»  J  ''  f'^^'j  °7,iJ•K^  aio^^^  this  trail, 
with  .he,n.  The  carcasses  of  a  good  "u, ,,her  ot  '  ™  "^  "°;^„,  i„| ,,(  i,t^ke  l.inje- 
hrongl..  about  by  a  neglect  of  th.s  F'"""™  ■  '  "J',  „=,  iHrner  end  a  portage 
man  we  have  .0  go  down  th.s  lake  ;;■  >»  '  ™'?';.»™  J™,^,  ™  '  We  water  on  Lake 
„,  about  H  of  a  ....  0  over  a  1,,^  ^^  >,    J^^^.  ngs  .    to      J^^^^^  ^^  ^,_^  ^^„,^  ,^ 

^ZZ  "  b  "h"   tI ":;;:  .ram.';  »  ,nen.i„ned  wil  probably,  it  successful,  be  car- 

'•^ ?'  -Itn-l^rtakTs'ollr  S™d'e"i,tn'wif  a";;^:  tr„,n  fierce  winds  which 
„(ten°m  ,;  on' tern'  ;rr  d'ayfatYthne^  which,  when  wi.h  us,  often  render ,.  too  rough 
Clall  boats,  antl  when  agai,,st  us  eff<;«-l  V  s.op  al  tr-^-  ^^  ^„_„„ 

y,  a^i^i^e  l',rSf,,':,.=d°t;V?    .riS^r'  r'l:^^  «  .tef  It  is  probable  that  the 


'I'HK    VIKON    DISIRltrr 


is  only  30  or  40 

a  bridj^e  at  tin- 

e  interveiiinji;  dis- 

ep  up  the  rijflit  <>i" 

;  again  cross  tlie 

,.     From  tliere  to 

pass  over  a  rounh 

nature  have  been 

ink   of  the  creek. 

1  of  this  distance. 

easier,  as  we  have 

found  on  the  tini- 

sharp  hill  on  the 

0  feet  above  Stone 
lout  Qoo  feet  over 
,  a  sliarp  ascent  to 
jroken  rocks  whicii 
)t  enough  snow  t(» 
V  here  this  part  is 

e  bed  of  the  creek 
t  of  the  steep  slope 
e  snow  from  Sheep 
to  travel  through. 
It  steps  in  the  steep 

Lit  a  pack  trail  from 
intry.  What  rights 
interfering  with  the 

rom  Stone  House  to 
kulty  and  hardship. 
14  or  9  miles,  there 
and  that  for  a  very 
:  hundred  feet  in  all. 
id  avoids  this  sharp 
irther  on.     Now  tlif 
t  a  mile  of  packing, 
take  us  about  a  mile 
^s  us  to  another  lake 
[  our  8  or  9.     These 
id  remain  open  until 

m,  but  there  is  very 
e  south  side  for  that 
ke  pi-^nty  of  fodder 
ving  aiong  this  trail, 
ding  at  Lake  Linde- 
lower  end  a  portage 
igable  water  on  Lake 

1  here  on  the  route  is 
,  if  successful,  be  car- 

n  fierce  winds  which 
Ml  render  it  too  rough 

I  or  12  miles  is  about 
is  probable  that  the 


coming  season  will  .see  several  steamboats  in  those  lakes,  which  will  much  obviate 
delay  by  winds.  Lake  Nares  is  about  ij^.and  'I'agish  about  17.  Si.\  or  .seven  miles 
from  the  head  of  'I'agish  Lake  what  is  known  as  Windy  .\rni  rises  fr.)m  tin;  south. 
Down  this  arm  strong  winds  are  almost  constantly  sweepinir,  which 


render  naviga- 


tion for  small  boats  very  often  unsafe.  'I'iiis  often  causes  delay  for  days.  I'rom  the 
foot  of  'I'agish  Lake  to  the  head  of  Marsh  Lake,  a  distance  of  about  five  miles,  the 
river  is  deep  and  smooth.  On  this  stretch  is  situated  the  Canadian  Customs  ( )ftice 
and  detachment  of  Mounted  Police.  ^Larsh  Lake  is  nearly  20  miles  in  length,  .and 
from  the  foot  of  it  to  the  canon,  about  25  miles,  we  have  nothing  to  ilread.  'I'lie 
'■anon  may  be  run  through  with  a  fair-sized  boat  not  too  heavilv  loatled.  The  only 
tilings  to  be  avoided  are  the  three  swells  right  at  the  foot.  These  we  may  avoid  by 
deflecting  our  course  a  little  to  the  left,  but  all  the  rest  of  the  distance,  to  be  safe, 
we  sliould  keep  exactly  in  the  center  of  the  channel  on  toj)  of  the  rushing  water 
which  piles  up  in  the  middle.  It  is  well  at  this  point  to  portiigesome  jirovisions  past 
so  that  in  case  of  accident  we  may  have  something  to  fall  back  upon.  .Many  boats 
are  injured  in  their  passage  through  the  canon,  but  this  has  ha])|)ened  chietly  through 
want  of  sufficient  power  to  keep  steervvay  on  them.  In  this  case  they  drift  off  the 
main  body  of  the  water,  catch  in  the  side  eddies,  are  whirled  round  and  dashed 
against  the  rocks  on  the  sides.  Where  there  are  a  number  ot  boats  together  this 
may  be  avoided  by  the  crews  clubbing  together,  putting  out  with  plenty  of  oars  and 
running  each  boat  through  separately.  A  few  hundred  yards  below  the  canon,  we 
.strike  a  rapid  which  is  somewhat  rough,  but  with  ordinary  care  not  dangerous.  .\ 
short  interval  of  smooth  water  brings  us  to  a  sharp  turn  to  the  left,  which,  in  a 
coujile  of  hundred  yards,  brings  us  to  an  ecpially  sharp  turn  to  the  right.  This  in  the 
head  of  White  Horse  Rapid.  Now,  this  has  been  gone  through  bv  manv,  but  at 
liresent  I  think  it  can  be  positively  stated  that  about  thirty  men  have  lost  their  lives 
in  attempting  to  run  it.  During  the  summer  of  1.S95,  13  deaths  were  traced  at  this 
point  through  boats  being  swamped  ;  besides  this,  the  miijority  of  boats  which  ran 
through  took  more  or  less  water,  and  in  many  cases  the  contents  of  the  boats  were 
lost,  the  crews  escaping  with  their  lives.  I  would  u.ge  all  to  portage  past  this. 
There  is  a  good  portage  on  the  left  side  of  the  river,  and  it  is  only  a  little  over  tliree- 
eighths  of  a  mile  in  length.  The  boat  can  be  lowered  by  ropes,  reloaded  at  the  foot, 
and  we  passt)n  in  .safety.  From  there  to  Lake  Labarge,  a  distance  of  about  24  miles, 
the  river  is  smooth  and  deep.  Lake  Labarge  is  about  31^  miles  in  length,  and  iiere, 
too,  as  at  the  upper  lakes,  we  may  be  wind-bound  for  days  at  a  time.  From  the  foot 
of  the  lake  to  the  mouth  of  the  llootalinqua  is  about  31  miles,  most  of  which  is  very 
strong  current,  with  a  few  rocks  in  the  river  channel.  These  reveal  their  position 
by  the  roar  which  the  current  makes  in  passing  over  them,  and  there  is  no  difficulty 
in  avoiding  them.  From  the  mouth  of  the  Hootalinqua  down  has  been  already  de- 
.scribed. 

The  following  table  of  distances  from  the  head  of  Lake  Bennett  to  the  IJound- 
ary  Line  is  quoted  from  my  report  of  1.SS9  : 


mii.es. 

Xorthern  Boundary,  Uiilish  Culuiiibi.i,        .  lo.o 

Foot  of  Lake  Ik'iinclt, 25.7 

Koot  of  Car!l)oo  Crossin;,' 28.3 

Foot  of  Tagish   Lake, 45, 2 

Mead  of  .Maisli  Lake, ,  50.0 

Foot  ot  .Marsh  Lake 69.  i 

Heaii  of  Cafioii o^,^ 

Foot  of  Wliite  Horse  Kapids,        ....  97.2 

Takhina  River, 11 1.8 

Lake  Labarge '25.0 

Foot  of  Lake  Lai  large, 156.1 


.MII.KS. 

Teslin  River,        187.8 

Rig  .Salmon, 221.2 

l^ittle  Salmon, 257.4 

Five  Finger  Rapid  , 316. 7 

I'elly  River 375-2 

White  River 47I-0 

.Stewart  River, 4S0.8 

Ilawson .S49-0 

Forlymile, 599-0 

IJoundury  Line, (>39-i 


DALTON  ROUTE. 

The  ne.xt  route  is  known  as  the  Daltoii  route, 
at  the  head  of  the  westerlv  arm  of  Lvnn  C'anal. 


To  traverse  this  we  leave  Chilkat 


„jj  CANADA'S    (IRE AT    GOLD    FIKLD. 

M      I    I    MrArthiir    I)   L  S     made  a  reconnaissance  survey  of  this  route  last 
summer  (l^r^^l^onG^^rn^^^  and  a  short  report  by  him  on  .t  ,s  u.serted  : 

..  During  the  winter  months,  after  the  C^'katRWer^s  frozen  Ha^^^ 
is  the  better  landing  place,  but  at  -\'^«^,  "!^.f  ^  ,;^J^^,V,;\t^^^^^  One 

venient.     To  Kluwan-a  ^'^'^^f'''''  t^'' ^'^/n^^^'o^Uy  ^^^^  the  stream, 

leaves  Pyramid  Harbour  and  follows  the  mer  flat  'J^^^'X    «  J"^  . ^^^      r,,     ^ 

and  the  other,  from  Hame's  M.ss.on,  [''^^^'^^^^^^^X^^^ 

during  extreme  high  water  the  nrstmen.^^^^^^^^^  tons  of   s-  ppli'es  at  his 

along   the  valley.      In   March     ast,    I^„^^^\^""    ^,^^™  four-horse 

•Cache -at  the  end  of  the  l-'^'^^'f/  .f^^^V  o^  a  ^d  1^^  hasCluently  ridden  the 
team  drawing  eighty  ^^^^^^  ^t^^^^  summer 'time,U  ordinary 
Sl'ri:;e^ran  Y;ake^^.lton'rtrading.,lost,  about  90  miles  from  salt  water,  n. 
three  days.  .      ,        mstoms  house.     Dalton's  Cache 

r,red  SXVeTelllT  Jt'LtrThe'r.  llcf  i^about  ..e.«y  .lies  tro.  salt 
water,  and  there  is  no  timber  witliii,  several  miles  ^^^^|j 

Weskutaheen  is  a  mile  and  a  half  we.t  °  ^f^  P7;„,  ^^.^  \^  Rluksku  Lake,  about 
docile  people.  On  the  trad,  fifteen  miles  ""^^'^  "/^J^^Xut  ^^,i  e  and  a  half  long 
three  iniles  in  length   which  is  connec  ed  by  a  ^^^^^ '  "^,\/^,'^^  f^ail  follows  it  for 

;:S,.^"^:='Sftei>e%"JX^^^^^ 

S„';;^rsM°vt,,SpVrerpo4^^^^^^^^ 
=rst?t::a^^x:3L;5fS^^HS^i^  is  Ji^^ffi 

miles  in  a  day.     Fish  abound  in  ^l^^^^;^*^^"' j^^^^^^^^^^^^^  From  Hutshi  to  Five 

Alsek  is  one  of  the  greatest  salmon  f  «^fms     have  met  vnttv  ^^^^^^ 

Finger.,  the  trail  is  hard,  and  is  the  be.t  por tix,n  ^f  Jhe    ou  e.  .^^^  ^^^jj 

ther'e  is  an  abunda^jce  o     dry  :^^;^y,^^J;:^r,  crosses  several  high, 
from  Hutshi  to  Selkuk,  broken  oy  "-i'^""  .  ,         jj      q     ^^  s  trip,  when 

„,oss.covered  rangej  and  could  .^ve^  be  rna^^^^^  ^^^.^,  ^^  P  g,,,. 

about  si.vty  miles  south  from  belkirk,  we  cosi,  depression  continues  to 

sized  stream,  flowing  west    '^••"•g'^'^^  no    ce  ta  n  w  e  her    t  is  a  branch  of  the 

;s=.s'^^i;:r'"  r^-J" £r.rn. » .7.  €>;'"?  r;  s,\re!frr%i' 

:-  ™^S^oTro'«eT„M;:  r,~£'o,-\rbi.':y;:?orsle  pLt  be,o»  Se.Uir.. 

JAMES  AND  HUDSON  BAY  ROUTE. 


)f  this  route  last 
on  it  is  inserted  : 

1,  Maine's  Mission 
is  tlie  more  con- 
two  trails.  One 
eft  of  the  stream, 
le  right.     Except 

•e  are  hay  marshes 

)f  s.ppHes  at  his 
les,  his  four-horse 
uently  ridden  the 
time,  an  ordinary 

rom  salt  water,  in 

Dalton's  Cache 
IS  point  is,  I  think, 
s  up  Boulder  Creek 
ng  wit'i  '  he  interior 
jstoms  house  might 
nty  miles  from  salt 

fifteen  miles,  would 
vood,  and  the  snow 
wamp  land  between 
The  Indian  village 
e  Sticks  and  a  very 
^luksku  Lake,  about 
ile  and  a  half  long 
trail  follows  it  for 
between  salt  water 
I  be  on  ice.      From 
L  distance  of   about 
:  very  slight  expense 
)rse  can  make  forty 
utshi  Lakes,  and  the 
rom  Hutshi  to  Five 
From  Dalton's  north 
jmerous.      The  trail 
crosses  several  high. 
On  this  trip,  when 
er,  which  is  a  good- 
ression  continues  to 
t  is  a  branch  of  the 
lifted  by  mistake,  it 
furnish  an  easy  rail- 
t  below  Selkirk." 


e,  which  leaves  the 
s  Ottawa  River  from 
iigue,  some  36  miles, 
itance  is  now  covered 
of  Lake  Temiscam- 
ce  much  travelled  by 
3  the  foot  of  Lake 
y  will  take  us  in  an 


THK    YUKON    DISTRICT. 


1 1 1 


hour  or  two,  and  up  the  lake  we  can  go  by  steanuT,  thrre  being  si'veral  on  it. 
From  Mattawa  to  tiie  head  of  the  lake,  about  100  miles,  \\c  ouglit  to  go  in  a  day  ; 
from  there  on  we  have  no  modern  facilities  for  travel,  and  will  lind  the  rate  nuu'h 
slower.  The  following  extract  from  my  report  of  1890  gives  in  detail,  from  the 
head  of  the  lake  to  Moose  Factory,  the  nature  of  the  route. 

"We  leave  the  head  of  the  Lake  'i'enii.scaniingue  by  a  jiart  of  the  Ottawa  Kivci, 
locally  known  as  the  Quinze  River,  from  the  fact  that  fifteen  jjortages  have  to  be 
made  on  it  to  get  to  the  lake  at  its  head,  known  as  Quinze  Lake. 

"  All  this  ii:  now  avoided  by  a  waggon  road  from  liaie  de  I'ere,  on  Lake  Temis- 
camingiie,  lo  a  bay  on  (Quinze  Lake.  The  length  of  this  road  is  said  to  be  about 
20  miles.  I  was  unable  lo  get  my  canoes  and  all  my  supplies  through  by  this  route, 
and  had  to  go  by  the  (Quinze  River.  This  causeil  two  and  a  half  days  of  very 
heavy  work. 

"A  few  notes  on  this  part  of  the  journey  will  not  be  out  of  jilace. 


.■r' 


'■%.. 


^/■' 


Looking  up  Yukon   KIvlm'    fnmi  3  Miles  below   Kortymilc. —  Cudaliy  ami   Kortymile  in 
Distance,   Koek   Point  on   Right   1,300  I'eet  above  Water. 

"The  first  portage  going  up  the  river  is  on  the  south  side,  and  about  120  yards 
long;  the  second,  on  the  same  side,  about  250  yards  long  ;  the  third,  on  the  north 
side,  about  half  a  mile  long,  and  over  some  rough  grouiul.  These  three  are  all  with- 
in sight  of  each  other.  Above  the  third  there  are  about  three  miles  of  slack  current 
to  the  fourth  portage,  which  is  on  the  north  side  of  the  river,  and  more  than  two 
miles  long.  In  the  ordinary  height  of  water  this  is  broken  into  three  shorter  ones  by 
crossing  the  river,  but  my  guides  tiiought  the  current  too  strong  and  the  water  too 
rough  to  do  this  with  my  canoes.  About  a  mile  above  this  the  fifth  portage  occurs 
on  the  north  side  of  the  river;  it  is  only  100  yards  long,  but  is  ov^r  a  sharp  hill. 
Two  hundred  yards  or  .so  above  this  is  the  sixth  jiortage,  on  the  north  side  of  the 
island  ;  it  is  about  150  yards  long.  In  coming  down  stream  with  medium  height  of 
water,  both  of  these  can  be  safely  run  past  in  ordinary  canoes.  Tl.ree-fourths  of  a 
mile  above  this  is  the  seventh  portage,  on  the  south  side  of  the  river.     It  is  over  a 


112 


CANADA'-;    'IKKAT    C.ol.l)    IIKI-D. 


in 
upw 


very  roiiKli.  rocky  Fairfacc  and  Icails  us  from  tlio  river  to  a  small  lake,  over  wliicli  we 
sairaboiit  half  a  mile  to  another  portaj,'e.  over  rough,  rocky  grouml  to  the  river  ai^aui. 
The  first  of  these  is  about  300  yards  Ioiik,  the  other  about  400  ;  but  in  hiijh  water 
the  latter  is  reduced  about  half.  I'hese  two  portages  cut  off  a  sharp  bend  m  tlie 
river,  in  which  there  is  saiil  to  be  some  very  rough  water.  A  mile  or  so  of  easy  water 
the  river  brings  us  to  the  ninth  portage.  It  is  on  the  north  side  of  the  n,---,  |s 
artis  (if  i, 000' yards  long,  and  iKis.ses  over  rough  ground.  In  low  water  this  is 
cut  into  twc  or  three  by  crossing  the  river. 

"The  ne.xt  jiortage  is  also  on  the  north  side,  is  650  yards  long,  and  on  tolerably 
good  ground.  There  is  about  ihrce-fourths  of  a  miie  between  it  aiui  the  last.  A 
mile  or  so  above  this,  on  the  north  side,  is  the  eleventh  and  last  portage  we  had  to 
make  on  this  part  of  the  river.     It  is  450  yards  long  and  is  on  level  ground. 

"  A  mile  above  this  puts  us  into  (^)uinze  Lake,  up  the  north  arm  of  which  we  go 
on  a  nearly  north  course  about  thirteen  miles.  The  upper  three  or  four  miles  is 
shallow.  We  leave  thif,  lake  by  a  small  river  called  Riviere  Barrier,  of  an  average 
width  of  100  to  150  yards,  and  a  slack  current,  up  which  we  go  about  2)4.  miles  to  a 
portage  300  yards  long,  which  passes  a  series  of  shallow,  rocky  rapids.  At  the 
head  of  this  portage  we  enter  Lac  Barrier,  uj)  which  we  go  on  a  course  nearly 
north-wer.t  about  15  milts  to  the  mouth  of  a  small  river,  called  Lonely  River, 
on  the  west  side  of  the  lake.  This  is  the  first  stream  of  any  noticeable  size  entering 
on  this  side.  Beyond  it  there  is  a  large  island  in  the  lake,  which  has  the  appear- 
ance of  lieing  the  end  of  the  lake.  Just  past  this  island  the  lake  narrows,  and 
then  bifurcates  —  one  arm  running  nearly  west,  the  other  nearly  east.  The 
westerly  arm  extends  about  six  miles,  and  I  do  not  know  how  far  the  other  reaches. 
This  lake  is  in  no  place  that  I  saw  much  more  than  a  mile  wide.  Its  lower  end  is 
shallow  and  weedy. 

"  The  route  follows  Lonely  River,  up  which  we  go  about  eight  miles  to  Long 
Lake.  The  river  is  about  100  yards  in  av'erage  width,  and  has  a  moderate  current. 
At  one  point  it  is  only  2>4  to  3  feet  deep  for  a  distance  of  100  yards,  but  all  the  rest 
seemed  to  be  upwards  of  five  feet  deep  in  low  water.  It  is  serpentine  in  its  course, 
and  the  distance  between  the  two  lakes  (Lake  Barrier  and  Long  Lake)  I  would  not 
estimate  at  more  than  five  miles  in  a  direct  line. 

"  The  arm  of  Long  Lake,  which  we  enter  from  Lonely  River,  is  about  a  mde 
wide,  2>4  long,  and  is  generally  shallow  and  weedy.  The  course  up  it  is  a  little 
south  of  west.  The  main  body  of  the  lake,  where  this  arm  joins  it,  lies  nearly  north- 
west and  south-east.  South-east  it  extends  six  or  eight  miles,  and  is  surrounded  by 
high,  rocky  hills  North-west  we  go  about  3^  miles  to  a  narrow  part  of  the  lake, 
about  60  yards  wide  and  100  long,  in  which  there  is  quite  a  stiff  current  during  high 
water.     This  and  above  it  is  known  as  the  Narrows. 

"  These  narrows  continue  for  more  than  a  mile,  when  the  lake  again  widens. 
About  ten  miles  above  the  narrows  a  deep  bay  extends  from  the  south-westerly  shore 
for  several  miles  in  a  south-westerly  direction.  Looking  down  this  bav,  n\iu\y  hills 
can  be  seen.  Prominent  among  these  is  one  named  "  Shew-me-ne.^s,"  which  is 
said  to  be  the  highest  hill  in  that  part  of  the  country  ;  its  top  is  bare  of  timber. 
I  was  told  the  natives  formerly  (and  to  some  extent  still)  considered  it  a  holy 
hill,  and  it  was  customary  for  their  medicine  men  to  occasionally  retire  to  its 
summit  to  fast  and  meditate.  Two  miles  and  a  half  or  so  past  this  bay,  on  the 
south-westerly  shore,  and  soon  after  passing  a  couple  of  small,  rocky  islands,  we 
reach  the  mouth  of  a  creek.  Here  there  is  a  portage  of  about  300  yards  to  a  small 
lake  nearly  a  mile  long  and  one-fourth  wide.  A  sail  over  this  south-westerly  to  its 
extremity  brings  us  to  the  east  end  of  the  height  of  land  portage,  over  which  we 
go  in  a  westerly  direction  about  half  a  mile  to  a  small  lake,  the  waters  of  which  llow 
by  the  Abitibi  River  northwards  to  James  iiay.  In  high  water  it  flows  both  t(  •'■ 
.\bitib'  :  h1  Ottawa,  and,  it  is  said,  the  channel  giving  vent  to  the  Uttawa  is 
growing  deeper.  1  1  ■ 

"\Vc  cross  this  lake  in  a  north-westerly  direction  about  1  V3  miles,  and  leave  it 
by  a  suiall  crooked  creek,  known  as  Snake  Creek,  which  passes  through  a  grassy 
m'arsh.     This  creek  is  upwards  of  a  mile  long,  but  in  a  straight  line  it  cannot  be 


the 
yearly 


THK    VLKON    DlSTRJCr 


1  •> 


over  wliicli  we 
lie  river  a,i,fain. 
I  in  iiiij;h  water 
ir|)  beiul  ill  the 
()  of  easy  water 
of  the  riv',''-,  's 
)W  \,'ater  this  is 

11(1  on  tolerably 
lul  the  last.  A 
taije  ive  hail  to 
•omul. 

of  which  we  jj'^ 
four  miles  is 
,  of  an  average 
t  2;^  miles  to  a 
apids.  .\t  the 
I  course  nearly 

Lonely  River, 
)lc  size  enterini; 
has  the  appear- 
e  narrows,  and 
•ly    east.      The 

other  reaches. 
Its  lower  e.ui  is 

t  miles  to  Long 
jderate  current, 
but  all  the  rest 
ne  in  its  course, 
ke)  I  would  not 

is  about  a  mile 
Lip  it  is  a  little 
es  nearly  north- 
s  surrounded  by 
art  of  the  lake, 
ent  during  high 

e  again  widens, 
h-westerly  shore 
bay,  many  hills 
■ne.-is,"  which  is 

bare  of  timber, 
dered  it  a  holy 
lly  retire  to  its 
;his  bay,  on  the 
)cky  islands,  we 
yards  to  a  small 
h-westerly  to  its 

over  which  we 
rs  of  which  llow 
lows  both  to  the 
)ttawa  is  yearly 

les,  and  leave  it 
trough  a  grassy 
ine  it  cannot  be 


C'oiil  N'cins  on  Coal  CiclU,  12  .Miles  from  I'ortymilc,  2  Layers,  .Man  on   Left   Standiii;,'  .i! 
Dottoin  of  Lower  one,  I'ole  I.vini;  at  'rop  of  I'lJiier. 

more  than  one-fourth  of  that  distance  from  the  last  mentioned  lake  (or  what  we  may 
call  Summit  Lake),  to  a  very  irregiilarly-sha|)etl  lake  called  Islaiul  Lake,  north  about 
eight  miles,  passing  numberless  and  beautiful  islands  which  are  ever  presentiiiL;  new 
aspects  of  beauty,  and  revealing  views  of  the  distant  hills  around  tlie  lake,  which, 
though  not  grand,  are  serenely  beautiful. 

"  Here  we  enter  a  deep,  narrow  bay,  which  trends  eastward,  and  on  about  a 
mile  and  a  half  further  we  enter  the  river  which  discharges  the  water  of  the  lake. 
Down  this  for  about  a  mile  we  come  to  a  portage  to  pass  a  rapid  in  the  stream. 
This  rapid  is  about  140  yards  long,  with  a  fall  of  si.\  feet  or  so.  Three  humireil 
yards  iielow  this  again  there  is  a  third  rapid  and  portage  170  yards  long,  with  a  fall 
of  seven  or  eight  feet ;  about  300  yards  below  this  there  is  another  rapid  and  portage 
1 70  yards  long,  with  a  fall  of  ten  feet.  These  three  places  are  known  as  the  '  Three 
Carrying  Places.' 

"  lielow  this  the  course  of  the  river  is  a  little  east  of  north,  and  somewhat  ser- 
|ientine  for  a  distance  of  about  seven  miles,  at  the  end  of  which  is  another  ra[)i(l  and 
portage  40  yards  long,  with  a  fall  of  about  five  feet  in  lov.'  water,  but  liarilly  any  fa'' 
w  high  water.  IJelow  this,  for  about  3^  miles,  the  course  is  about  north-east  and 
serpentine.  In  this  twelve  uiiles  of  river  the  current  is  nowhere  swift  (except  in  the 
rapid:). 

"  Here  we  enter  a  lake  called  Upper  Lake,  and  keeping  close  to  the  west  sh.ire 
we  pass  between  some  rock  islands  aiul  enter  a  deep  bay  extending  southward.  We 
cross  this  on  a  north-westerly  course  about  i\4  miles,  then  continue  along  the  west- 
erly shore  about  halt  a  miie,  when  we  cross  the  mouth  of  another  deep  bay  on  a 
nearly  north-west  course,  about  two  miles,  to  the  northerly  shore  of  the  lake. 
Skirting  the  shore  a  little  over  half  a  mile  we  enter  a  sm.dl  stream,  which  in  a  few 
yards  expands  into  a  small  lake,  and  running  along  the  west  shore  of  this  we  liiid  an 
outlet  to  the  river,  of  which  there  are  several  channels,  which,  however,  unite  just 
below  here. 


,,^  CANADA'S    (IKKAT    (KH-D    IlKI-D. 

"Upper  T,ake  is  vcrv  irretfiilarlv  sliaptd  ;  islands  arc  as  numerous  in  it  as  m 
Island  I.akf  and  the  scenery  as  bcautifid.  These  lakes  will  compare  for  beauty  witii 
any  places  1  have  ever  seen  ;  and  1  feel  confident,  were  they  easdy  accessible,  they 
would  soon  becf)nie  places  of  resort  in  the  tourist  season. 

"  About  2>4  miles  from  this  lake,  in  a  generally  north-easterly  direction,  there  is 
a  cataract  in  the  river,  and  a  porta-e  of  40  yarils  to  pass  it.  Here  the  sti cam  nar- 
rows from  200  yards  and  upwards  to  less  than  a  tenth  of  that,  and  falls  through  an 
openinji  resembling  a  gateway,  in  a  ridge  of  granitic  rock,  a  height  of  about  twelve 
feet  IJelow  this  the  course  of  the  river  is  nearly  north  for  5  miles  to  Lake  Abitibi, 
and  from  the  mouth  of  the  river  to  the  Hudson  Bay  Company's  trading  post  on  the 
lake  is  about  2^  miles  in  a  north-easterly  direction.  _  ,      ,  , 

"The  post  is  situated  on  a  long  flat  point  projecting  into  the  lake,  at  its  ex- 
treme east  end.  Formerly  all  tiie  supplies  for  this  post  were  brought  from  Moose 
up  the  Abitibi  River,  but  for  some  years  past  they  have  been  taken  from  Mattawa 
over  the  route  I  have  just  described,  which  considerably  reduces  the  labour  and 
expense  of  furnishing  t  'ie  post. 

"LAKI-:    AHlTim. 

"  Like  all  the  other  lakes  along  this  route,  this  lake  is  irregularly  shaped.  It 
varies  in  width  from  a  couple  of  miles  to  fourteen  or  fifteen.  There  are  very 
many  bays  and  numerous  islands,  most  of  which  are  rocky  and  many  of  them  of  con- 
siderable extent.  ,,,,.,         ^1  ^i 

"  The  route  generally  traveled  from  the  post  down  the  laKe  lies  along  the  south 
shore  for  about  lyj^  miles,  and  then  crosses  to  a  point  on  the  north  shore  on  a 
nearly  west  course.  The  distance  on  this  course  is  about  3^/2  miles,  but  the  lake 
here  is  only  a  couple  of  miles  wide. 

"Skirting  the  south  shore  for  a  distance  of  nearly  five  miles  we  reach  the 
'  Narrows,'  which  are  about  two  miles  long,  and  in  parts  not  more  than  300  yards 
wide  At  the  west  end  of  the  '  Narrows  '  a  large  island  makes  two  channels  of  e.xit  — 
the  one  to  the  north  avoids  a  portage  across  a  long  peninsula,  which  projects  from 
the  south  shore  many  miles  northward.  Hy  this  route,  however,  there  is  a  large  ex- 
panse of  open  water  to  be  crossed,  which  in  windy  weather  becomes  too  rough  for 
ordinary  canoes,  and  causes  much  delay.  The  south  channel  passes  through  a  bay 
with  numerous  islands  in  it,  which  afford  such  shelter  that  it  can  be  crossed  almost 
at  any  time.  The  course  is  generally  between  south-west  and  west  for  about  5)^ 
mile.s,  when  we  reach  the  peninsula  alieady  mentioned.  At  this  point  we  make  a  por- 
tage of  about  one-fifth  of  a  mile  on  a  westerly  course  to  a  small  lake  about  300  yards 
across,  from  which  another  portage  of  about  150  yards  brings  us  again  to  Lake 
Abitibi  Here  we  can  in  moderate  winds  cross  straight  to  the  head  of  Abitibi  River, 
which,  as  seen  from  the  portage,  is  just  south  of  a  small  rocky  island  about  two  miles 
out,  and  nearly  due  west.  The  distance  across  is  about  5>i  or  6  miles.  In  windy 
weather,  with  a  southerly  or  westerly  wind,  we  can  skirt  the  south  and  west  shore  of 
the  lake  to  the  same  point,  but  with  a  northerly  or  north-westerly  wind  the  water  is 
too  rough  for  an  ordinary  canoe. 


"ABITIBI   RIVER. 

"At  its  head  this  river  averages  about  150  yards  wide,  with  a  moderate  cur- 
rent. For  the  first  five  miles  it  runs  generally  south-westerly  to  the  first  portage, 
which  is  on  the  south  side,  and  we  pass  a  fall  and  rapids.  The  fall  1  should  say 
IS  about  twenty-eight  feet  high,  and  the  total  difference  of  level  thirty-five  feet.  1  he 
portage  is  about  a'quarter  of  a  mile  long,  and  is  not  rough. 

"'The  course  of  the  river  is  now  for  some  distance  nearly  west.  About  two 
miles  below  the  first  fall  there  is  a  swift  rush  through  a  very  narrow  passage  in  a 
ridge  of  rock.  Here  the  water  is  rough,  but  can  be  safely  run  m  a  good-sized  canoe. 
Beyond  this  the  water  is  smooth,  with  an  easy  current  for  about  ten  miles  to  a  short 
rapid,  easily  run  ;  then  there  is  a  mile  of  smooth  water,  and  then  about  a  mile  of 


THK    VIKON    DISIRICI' 


'i.S 


TDiis  in   it  as  in 

'  for  l)eaiity  with 

accessible,  they 

iroction,  there  is 
the  sticain  nar- 
falls  through  an 
of  about  twelve 
to  Lake  Abitibi, 
ding  post  on  the 

lake,  at  its  cx- 

ght  from  Moose 

from   Malta wa 

tiie  labour  and 


swift,  rougii  water,  wiiuh  only  ri'i|iiirfs  w.itchiuliK'ss  in   kccpiiiji  <ill    tiu-  rocks  to  lie 
safely  run  in  any  canoe. 

"About  a  mile  i)elow  this  a  conside  able  stream  comes  in  on  the  north  side. 
My  guide  told  me  it  was  called  '  Mis-ta-ago-sipi,'  but  he  had  not  command  of 
enough  English  to  tell  me  what  i-  meant,  nor  ilid  I  aftcrwanis  learn.  Two  miles  or 
so  below  this  there  is  a  small  rapiil,  easy  of  descent,  ami  about  ^'/j  milci  further  a 
fall  of  four  or  five  feet  and  a  jx/rtage  on  tiie  south  side  loo  yards  long.  Two  hun- 
dred yards  !»  low  this  there  is  another  fall  of  seven  or  eight  feet,  and  a  portage  on 
the  south  side  also  about  loo  yarils  long.  For  about  the  iie.vt  four  miles  the  river 
runs  between  south  and  south-west  to  ;i  river  which,  enters  from  the  south.  I  under- 
stood tlie  guide  to  say  that  this  stream  has  its  head  near  the  Riviere  Hlanche,  which 
tlows  into  Lake  'remiscamingue  c:lose  to  the  (Juin/e  Rivt-r,  and  that  Indians  some- 
times go  through  to  Lake  Temiscamiiigue  that  way.  'I'his  stream  is  do  to  70  yariis 
wide  at  the  mouth. 


arly  shaped.  It 
I'here  are  very 
y  of  them  of  con- 
along  the  south 
lorth  shore  on  a 
dies,  but  the  lake 

les  we  reach  the 
i  than  300  yards 
hannels  of  e.xit  — 
ich  projects  from 
lere  is  a  large  ex- 
iles too  rough  for 
3S  through  a  bay 
be  crossed  almost 
!st  for  about  5)^ 
lit  we  make  a  por- 
e  about  300  yards 
as  again  to  Lake 
1  of  Abitibi  River, 
d  about  two  miles 
miles.  Ill  windy 
and  west  shore  of 
wind  the  water  is 


/■'nim  I'hoto.  by  W.  Ogihie. 
Cave  Rock,  Yukon   River — About   II   Miles  Abovo  the  Hnundary. 


I  a  moderate  cur- 
the  first  portage, 
fall  1  should  say 

rty-five  feet.    The 

vest.  About  two 
row  passage  in  a 
good-sized  canoe. 

II  miles  to  a  short 
I  about  a  mile  of 


"  Here  the  river  turns  to  a  northerly  direction,  and  about  five  miles  from  the 
last  stream  we  come  to  a  fall  of  i'.bout  fourteen  feet,  which,  I  understand,  is  called 
'  Iroquois  Falls.'  It  is  said  it  derivetl  this  name  from  an  adventure  of  some  Irtxpiois 
Indians,  many  years  ago,  who  were  raiding  the  country,  and  comiielled  two  native 
women  to  act  as  their  guides.  The  women,  to  save  their  own  people,  lulleil  the  sus- 
picions of  the  raiders  when  they  heanl  the  noise  of  the  fall,  by  assuring  them  that 
the  noise  they  heard  was  caused  by  the  entrance  of  an  affluent  stream  over  a  high 
fall,  believing  which  they  went  on  to  their  destruction. 

"Another  version  of  this  story  which  I  heard  was  that  the  enforced  guides  were 
men  who  assured  their  captors  that  the  rai)ids  coukl  be  easily  run  by  keeping  in  a 
certain  part  of  the  channel,  and  to  [)rove  their  sincerity  itjok  llie  lead  in  a  canoe,  but 


liO 


CANADA'S   (iKKAl     (iol.D    IIKID. 


ills,  wluif  tliev,  fiom  tlitir  local  kimwl- 


s.i  acted  tliat  ail  t!u-ir  eiu'iiiii-s  went  over  the  fal 

"''"  ■;i".i;l;l^e;s;:;>S,ns  t..  l.  a  su.^  story,  a-m  ,s  toi.l  of  several  other  eataraets  : 
an.l  to  speak  for  myself.  I  do  not  think  eitlier  version  very  probable,  as  In.hans.  as  a 
rule  are  not  apt  to  run  much  risk,  certainly  not  m  a  stran^t^  country. 

"The  vor  a«e  past  this  is  on  the  south  side,  and  .s  about  .40  yards  lon^j  1  he 
course  of  the  river  s  ser|.entine.  and  ranges  from  about  m.rth-vvesl  to  north-east, 
Ximt  oV^mUes  below  Iroquois  Falls  we  come  to  a  ra,).d  half-a-n.le  or  so  .n 
U-  u  1     w  th   a  fall  of  four  or  f.ve  feet.     The  only  danger  m  th.s>s  from  rocks,  nf 

'  1    tl^  e  are  manv.  and  it  re,,uires  a  shar,)  outU.ok  to  avoid  a  collision  with    hen 
.  ;  ;  allv  i>,  l.>w  waier      Tl-e  general  direction  of  the  river    --^.^'^  -■-';,;,; 
ht  le  west  nf  north,  and  the  current  is  smooth  and  easy  for  .about  iSj.  miles,  wl  u 
1  ere  is  a  small  ripple  40  or  50  vards  lon^.     After  passing  t  11s  the  Kceral  drection 
the  s^ime         n Ja  ly  seven  miles,  when  it  turns  sharply  to  the  west,  and  we  immed- 
.te  V  e     er  the  l,..n«  Sault  Rapids.     The  first  three  miles  of  this  is  only  a  very  sw 
;  ,  rent    wh  ch  ends  at  a  barrier  of  firanitic  rock,  through  a  narrow  opening  n|  which 
le    1   Jr    umbles  down  about  seven  feet.     The  portage  here  is  about  40  .y^'"' .>'';«; 
u!  is  on  the  south  side,      lielow  this  there  is  about  three-eighths  of  a  mile  ot  10 ugh 
w    er   wtver    large  rocks  in  it.  when  the  water  again  takes  a  ,.lunge  <•  ,al.ou     ive 
Teet      The  ix.rtagc  here  is  on  the  s..uth  side,  and  is  .00  yards  in  length.      1  his  is 
succeeded  bv  over  half-a-mile  of  bad  rapids,  rough  and  stony. 

I'dow  thi^  for  two  or  three  miles  there  is  swift  and  shallow,  but  not  danger- 
ous  water      Inall  this  rapid  I  would  estimate  a  fail  of  about  40  feet. 

•In  the  bad  part,  the  course  of  the  river  turns  from  west  to  generally  no,  tl. 
:uu\  c<  1   i   ues  so   .,r  alx.ut  7/.  miles,  when  it  again  turns  shar,)  y  to  tl>e  sou  h-  ves 

St  the  turn  a  stream  50  to  60  yards  wide  enters  on  the  north  side.  As  ny  guide 
v^  :  o,  f  I  c  mki  not  learn  anything  concerning  it.  About  5/2  miles  from  this 
Vream  there  is  hort  rapid,  midway  in  which  is  an  island.  Fair-sized  canoes  can 
iM  c  esce'uUh is  rapid,  but  there  is  a  portage  on  the  island  about  60  yards  long. 
C  nt  in  iig  on  a  sou  h- vesterly  course  about  ^y,  nules  brings  us  to  the  next  rapid 
am  .  or  ge  The  portage  is  on  the  southerly  shore,  and  is  .00  yards  long.  Like 
sever  o  the  falls  already  mentioned,  this  one  is  only  a  contraction  of  the  river  by 
a  id^e  o  gran  e  rock,  the  water-way  through  it  being  only  one-si.xth  or  one-eighth 
of  Ihe  avera"-:  width  of  the  river.     The  fall  is  only  about  three  feet,  but  it  is  much 

too  rough  for  any  canoe  to  pass  through.  ,      i„-       ..,,1   .^r-wh, 

--rhe  river  here  begins  to  change  from  its  south-westerly  direction  and  gradu- 
■dlv  cu  ves  aro  md  to  a  course  nearly  north.     About  a  mile  below  this  rapid  a  river 
n    te     s  h  Le  as  the  Abitibi,  joins  it  from  the  south.     It  is  known  as  Frede nek 
Souse  rIvS,  and  is  said  to 'have  its  source  in  a  lake  not  far  from  the  head  of 
Mnntred  River  which  flows  into  Lake  Temiscamingue. 

"The  course  of  the  river  from  here  down  for  about  eighteen  or  nmeteen  miles 
is  1  little  west\)f  north,  when  it  again  takes  a  short  turn  to  the  west  and  passes 
tLoughanote    granite  ridge,  forming  two  very  bad  rapids.     To  pass  these  there 
are  two  no  tages  on  the  north  side  of  the  river-the  first  170  yards  long,  the  second 
Too      Tbe  fan  in  the  first  is  about  ten  feet,  in  the  second  four  or  five  ;  between 
hem  there  i     a  pond  about   200  vards  across.     After  passing  these  the  course  1 
ur    n    ortherly.  and  for  a  mile  or  two  the  current  is  smooth  and  easy   but  after  that 
Ihe  nrese  ^e    .    many  granitic  islands  in  the  river  renders  .t  swift,  but  not  rough 
About  two  miles  of  thislrmgs  us  to  another  rapid,  where  again  the  -urse  change 
from  northerly  to  westerly,  and  we  pass  through  a  granite  ridge.      1  he  first  po  t 
LTe   is  on  the  westerly  shore,  about   100  yards  long,  and  over  level   ground.      1  he 
nSt  ^  acroL  an  islanll  in  the  river,  and  is  about  ,00  Y-^^^  1-g. -^^^  Tan  "Tth: 
the  Island  Portage.     The  distance  between  them  is  50  or  60  yards      1    an  P^'^t  ^lie 
ft  St  one    n  my  canoe.     It  is  easy  to  run  down,  but  somewhat  ditticul    to  stop  at 
hfisSnd  before  you  are  swept  i?no  the  next  rapid,  f-'^.-i^^^lJ^^  :%'    ^s 
e-moe      The  fall  in  this  rapid  is  seven   or  eight  feet.      1  he  course  ot  the  nver  is 
aiain  nort  er ly      the  current  is  very  easy  and  the  width   about  200  yards.     Abou 
Sneen  mdes  fmm  Island  Portage  a  small  river  joins  from  the  west,  known  a.  Red 


I 


ifir  local  kimwl- 

citlitT  cataraits ; 
as  Inilians,  as  a 

iids  loiijj.  I'he 
t  to  north-t-ast, 
-a-mi!c  or  so  in 
is  from  r'iiks,  of 
isioii  with  tluMii, 

this  rapid  is  a 
S'j  niik's,  when 
j^a-neral  drcction 
aiul  we  iinmt'cli- 
)nly  a  very  swift 
pLMiiiiij  in  which 
I  40  yards  lony;, 

a  mile  of  roiiyh 
n^c  of  about  live 
leiiytli.      I'his  is 

but  not  danger- 
■t. 
generally  north, 

0  the  south-west, 
de.     As  my  guide 

miles  from  this 
sizeti  canoes  can 
lut  60  yards  long. 
to  the  next  rapid 
yards  long.  Like 
on  of  the  river  by 
xth  or  one-eigluli 
;t,  but  it  is  much 

;ction  and  gradu- 
[his  rapid  a  river, 
own  as  Frederick 
from  the  head  of 

or  nineteen  miles 
e  west  and  passes 
3  pass  these  there 
s  long,  the  second 
or  five  ;  between 
hese  the  course  is 
asy,  but  after  that 
ift,  but  not  rough, 
le  course  changes 
;.  The  first  port- 
ve\  ground.  The 
,  and  is  known  as 
s.  I  lan  past  the 
ifficult  to  stop  at 

1  quickly  engulf  a 
rse  of  the  river  is 
!oo  yards.  About 
;st,  known  a*:  Red 


IHK    VIKON    DlSIRlCr. 


'•7 


Whitefish  River.  Three  miles  further  down,  the  river  again  turns  westerly,  .ind 
jiasses  over  a  succession  of  rapids,  of  whit:h  I  got  the  following  description  from  an 
employe  of  the  Hudson  Hay  Company  :  Two  miles  below  the  turn  is  the  first  rapid, 
whit  h  IS  a  very  bad  one.  'I'he  portage  past  it  is  on  the  easterly  side  of  the  river,  is 
about  half  a  mile  in  length,  with  level,  good  ro.idw.iy,  and  is  called  the  l.obstick 
Portage.  I'he  next  one  is  a  little  more  than  half  a  mile  l)elow  this,  on  the  westerly 
side  of  the  river,  and  is  known  as  the  lUirnt  Wood  I'ortage.  It  is  about  300  yards 
long  and  over  a  very  rough,  rocky  surface.  The  ra|)ids  are  very  bad.  This  is  suc- 
ceeded by  about  a  mile  of  calm  water  to  tlie  ne\t  i)ortage,  on  the  westerly  shore, 
about  100  yards  long,  anil  over  a  rock.  It  is  called  the  (May  I'alls.  It  is  along 
the  face  of  a  clay  slope,  and  is  close  to  the  water's  edge  111  high  water  ;  it  is  about 
200  yards  long.  Next  i:omes  the  Hircli  I'ortage,  about  100  yards  below  the  Clay 
Falls.  It  is  on  the  easterly  side  of  the  river,  about  300  yards  long,  and  over  good 
grouiul.     Close  to  this  is  the  Oil  I'ortage  on  the  same  side,  also  over  gooil  ground. 

"  In  liigh  water  it  is  dangerous  to  cross  from  I,o!)stick  to  the  Burnt  WdotI,  and 
on  this  account  another  route  is  often  travelled.  This  is  known  as  the  Little  Lakes 
Road.  It  leaves  the  river  on  the  east  side  just  where  the  river  turns  westerly,  and 
300  or  400  yards  above  a  large  rock  standing  on  the  e.ist  side  of  the  river,  close 
to  where  a  small  creek  enters.  Once  the  end  of  it  is  found  there  is  no  trouble  in 
following  it,  as  it  is  a  well  beaten  pathway.  First  there  is  a  portage  upwards  of  a 
mile  an(l  a  half  to  a  small  lake,  about  600  yards  across;  tlien  a  portage  of  about 
400  yarils  to  another  lake,  700  yards  or  so  across,  in  a  westerly  direction,  where  the 


Looking  up  Yukon  Valley  from  Mountain  near  Boundary. 

next  portage  is  about  400  yards  long,  bpt  as  it  is  very  crooked  it  might  easily  be 
shortened  to  about  half  that.  The  next  lake  is  only  about  200  yards  wide.  It  is 
crossed  in  a  north-westerly  direction  to  another  portage,  700  yards  long,  to  a  pond 
250   yards  across,  at  the  extreme  westerly  end  of  which  we  find  a  portage  2,700 


H  b*.Ttv. 


m8 


CANADA'S    C.RKAI'    i,n\.\)    IIKI.D 


yards,  or  a  niilr  ami  a  lialf  l<>ii>^,  wliit  ti  l)riny;s  us  again  tu  tlic  rivrr  loo  yanls  (ir  so 
l)fl(i\v  tlif  (>il  |'(irt,iyi'.  I'liis  last  |)()rtam'  i'*  t'"'  ^HMti-r  part  i)t  its  lfii)j;lh  in  tlii" 
v.iilfy  1)1'  a  cmk,  ami  is  very  roii^jh  .md  (liMiciili  In  travel  oser. 

"  'I'lif  a)j;K'''"is';''t.'  (listaiK  e  portaged  over  on  this  way  is  upwards  of  S.ooo  yards, 
or  nearly  live  miles  ;  wliiU'  l.y  the  river  route  it  is  only  ahout  2,000  yartis,  or  less  than 
a  mile  and  a  (piarter.  NotwitliNlaiidin^j  this,  the  lake  route  is  much  travelled — I 
suppose  bee  aiise  most  of  the  canoes  in  the  vicinity  are  small,  and  live  miles  of  hani 
travel  and  a  ( ertainty  of  life  at  the  end  are  pleasanter  than  one  and  a  (juarter  witli- 
oiil  that  certainty. 

"  Helow  the  Oil  I'ortage  there  is  a  poncMike  expanse  in  the  river  before  it 
plunges  down  the  cai'lon,  'I'his  is  a  veritable  caf^on,  beinj;  not  more  than  20  to  \o 
y.irds  wide,  with  perpendicular  banks,  ^;enerally  much  hij^her  than  the  chaiiiiil  is 
wide.  It  is  upwards  of  two  miles  in  lenj^th.  and,  as  I  only  saw  the  end  of  it,  I 
cannot  say  much  in  description  of  it.  1  was  informed  that  parts  of  it  cannot  he 
seen  from  the  bank,  (»win;j  to  their  height  and  steepness,  and  as  no  one  would 
care  to  pass  throii).;h  it  simply  to  possess  the  privilege  of  describing  it,  it  is  likely 
to  remain  unpictiired  for  some  time.  As  scenery  it  is  grand  and  impressive  when 
viewed  from  either  end.  'I'he  |)ortage  jiast  it  is  on  the  east  side,  and  is  over  two 
miles  long  and  somewhat  difficult,  on  account  of  four  or  live  bail  hills  on  it.  Helow 
the  carton  there  is  another  |)ond-like  e.xpanse  in  the  river,  which  is  succeeded  by  a 
ra|)i(l  400  or  500  yards  long,  and  safe  enough  for  ordinary  canoes  to  run,  but  recpiir- 
mg  alertness  at  the  foot,  as  it  is  shallow  and  stony.  The  current  is  now  smooth 
and  easy  ;  course  between  north  and  north-east  for  si.x  miles,  which  brings  us  to  the 
llutlson  Hay  Com|)any's  trading  post  on  this  river,  named  New  Post. 

"  From  New  I'ost,  down  for  about  sixteen  miles,  the  Abitibi  preserves  a  gen- 
erally uniform  width  (150  yards),  with  smooth,  easy  current,  and  general  direction 
a  little  west  of  north,  when  its  navigability  is  again  interrupted  by  a  succession  of 
rajiids,  which  necessitate  a  jiortage  (on  the  east  side)  of  fully  two  miles,  with  two 
bad  hills  at  the  north  end.  This  portage  is  sometimes  divided  into  two  (one  about 
a  mile,  the  other  less  than  a  quarter),  but  it  does  not  appear  that  the  difference  is 
considered  of  much  advantage. 

"  About  a  mile  below  this  portage  is  another,  also  on  the  east  side,  Qoo  yards 
long.  The  rapid  here  is  not  very  rough,  and  can  be  run  in  light  canoes,  but  mine 
were  too  heavily  laden.  Below  this  portage  there  is  about  a  (|uarter  of  a  mile  of 
swift,  rough  water  to  run  before  we  get  into  smooth  water  again,  which,  however, 
only  continues  about  two  miles,  when  there  is  another  portage,  also  on  the  east  side, 
and  about  900  yards  long.  Parties  going  up  sometimes  ascend  this  and  the  pre- 
ceding rapid  in  their  canoes  by  keejiing  in  shore  and  poling. 

"  Five  miles  below  the  last  mentioned  rapid  we  come  to  the  head  of  a  long  one, 
in  which  the  river  widens  to  about  600  yards,  or  about  three  times  its  average 
width,  and  is  correspondingly  shallow.  This  rapid  is  not  very  rough,  but  is  some- 
what dangerous,  by  reason  of  its  shallowness  and  the  numerous  rocks  in  it.  The 
first  part  is  about  three  miles  long,  after  which  it  gets  smooth,  but  is  still  swift 
and  shallow  for  about  2yi  miles,  when  it  again  becomes  a  rapid  resembling  the 
upper  part,  and  continues  so  for  about  3^  miles.  This  rapid  is  sometimes  called 
Long  Rapid,  but  oftener  the  '  Pudding,'  from  the  resemblance  some  islands  standing 
in  it  bear  to  a  plum  pudding.  In  this  the  course  of  the  river  is  about  north,  but 
below  it  it  swerves  a  little  eastward. 

"  A  river  called  by  the  Indians  '  Abitibi  Shi-sipi,'  or  *  Little  Abitibi  River,'  flows 
in  from  the  east  about  four  mile»  below  this.  It  is  upwards  of  100  yards  wide 
at  the  mouth,  but  is  shallow.  Continuing  the  same  course  about  seven  miles  brings 
us  to  a  shallow  rapid  of  no  especial  importance,  called  Blacksmith's  Rapids.  One 
party  told  me  it  was  so  named  because  a  drunken  blacksmith  was  drowned  here 
some  years  ago,  but  others  gave  as  the  origin  of  the  name  the  existence  of  a  bed  of 
lignite  coal,  which  latter  derivation  I  suppose  to  be  the  true  one. 

"  About  a  mile  below  this  a  river  enters  from  the  east,  20  yards  or  so  wide  ; 
and  about  2^  miles  from  this  another  river,  about  40  yards  wide  at  the  mouth, 
enters  from  the  west.      My  guide  called  it  '  O-nak-o-whan-i-Sipi,'  but  could  not, 


loo  yards  or  so 
ts  lciii;lh   III  tlic 

i  <(f  S.ooo  yards, 
irds,  or  less  than 
h  trav.'llcd  -  I 
(•  mill's  III  hard 
I  a  (|nartir  wilh- 

;  rivt-r  before  it 

I'  lliaii   20  tn  .50 

I  the  chaiuu'l   is 

tlie    end  of   it,  I 

of   it  caiiiiot  he 

s  no  one  would 

njj  it,  it  is  likely 

impressive  when 

',  and  is  over  two 

s  on  it.     Helow 

is  suicecdcd  i)y  a 

)  run,  but  re(|nir- 

iit  IS  now  smooth 

1  brings  us  to  the 

t. 

preserves  a  ^jeii- 
^eneral  direction 
f  a  succession  of 
I)  miles,  with  two 
.0  two  (one  about 
the  difference  is 

St  side,  900  yards 
canoes,  but  mine 
irter  of  a  mile  of 
1,  which,  however, 
o  on  the  east  side, 
this  and  the  pre- 

i.id  of  a  long  one, 
times  its  average 
ugh,  but  is  some- 
rocks  in  it.  The 
,  but  is  still  swift 
id  resembling  the 
i  sometimes  called 
e  islands  standing 
s  about  north,  but 

bitibi  River,'  flows 
)f  100  yards  wide 
seven  miles  brings 
ith's  Rapids.  One 
ivas  drowned  here 
itence  of  a  bed  of 

yards  or  so  wide  ; 
Mde  at  the  mouth, 
ji,'  but  could  not, 


nil;  YUKON  lusiKicr 


ii'» 


owing  to  his  ignorance  of   Kiiijlish,  tell  iiu-  wli.it  ili.it   iniMiil.     About  a  nnle  lulo>v 
^,       this,  wh.it  a|)pear«nl  to  be  a  sin. ill  river  was  M'eii  on  {\\v  e.ist  snle. 

"  'I'lu'   general   course  ol    the   river   here    is   nearly   iinrili-i'.ist    lor    many   miles 
l)a(k  :  but  us  chararter  changes,  m  tli, it  there  are  imw   nnmeroiis  i^laiuls  in   it,  .iiul 


l.iioUiiit;  \Vi->l  fnim  Mi)unlain  'I'op  near  lii)iiiiilary,      Viikoii  at   lioumiary  mi  Left  of  View. 

it  is  wider  and  often  shallow,  with  some  swift  currents  in  the  shallow  places.  The 
same  ccnirse  and  character  continue  for  about  29  miles  below  0-nak-o-whan-i-Sii)i, 
when  it  spreads  into  three  or  four  branches  and  passes  down  shallow  rapids  to  the 
Moose,  or,  as  the  Indians  there  call  it,  the  'Mi-tag-ami'  River.  One  of  these 
branches  can  be  run  in  canoes  when  the  water  is  high  enough,  but  in  low  v/ater 
it  is  too  shallow.  1  passed  down  the  westerly  shore,  the  water  barely  floating  the 
canoe,  though  it  only  drew  ten  or  eleven  inches.  This  continues  for  nearly  a  mile, 
where  just  above  a  rocky  point,  which  throws  the  water  outwards  and  makes  a  bad 
swell  (and  on  account  of  rocks,  a  passage  can  hardly  be  made  anywhere  else)  there 
is  a  portage  of  about  500  yards.  Helow  this  there  are  still  about  300  yards  of 
rapid,  which  must  be  descended  carefully  and  slowly  on  account  of  shallowness 
and  rocks.     Just  below  this  we  enter  Moose  River. 

MOOSK  RIVliR. 

"  From  its  confluence  with  the  Abitibi  the  course  of  the  stream  is  about  north- 
east. It  is  about  a  mile  wide,  and  is,  as  a  rule,  shallow  The  greater  part  of  the 
channel,  for  some  miles  near  and  below  the  Abitibi,  is  not  more  than  two  to  four  feet 
deep,  with  many  gravel  bars,  and  two  or  three  small  rapids. 

"  From  the  mouth  of  the  Abitibi  to  Moose  Factory,  the  Hudson  Bay  Company's 
trading  post,  is  about  twenty  miles.  A  history  of  this  place  would  hardly  serve  any 
useful  purpose  in  a  report  such  as  this,  and  I  will  only  remark  that  the  post  has 
been  in  existence  about  two  centuries,  and  has  been  for  many  years,  and  is  now,  the 
port  of  entry  for  the  whole  of  James  Bay  district. 


I20 


CANADA'S   GREAT   GOLD    FIELD. 


"  Moose  is  situated  on  the  east  side  of  an  island,  the  surface  of  wivch  rises 
about  twenty  feet  above  hijih  tide.  The  top  soil  is  generally  a  mi.xture  of  silt  and 
vegetable  mould.  The  island  is  about  half  a  mile  in  width,  and  about  two  miles 
long  Owing  to  its  position,  the  many  islands  in  the  river  here,  and  the  fact  that  the 
deep  water  is  in  the  westerly  channel,  strangers  would  very  likely  pass  on  to  the  bay 
without  noticing  the  factory.  To  write  down  a  description  of  the  route  to  be  fol- 
lowed would  be  somewhat  tedious.  The  only  way  to  do  it  comprehensively  would 
be  by  courses  and  distances,  which  I  am  not  in  a  position  to  give  exactly 

•'  It  is  said  the  channel  on  the  easterly  side  of  the  islands,  although  shallow,  will 
float  a  c-^noe  well  enough,  and  by  that  route  it  would  hardly  be  possible  to  pass  the 
factorv  without  seeing  it.  From  the  easterly  side  of  Moose  ^sland  to  the  east  shore 
of  the" river,  at  right  angles  to  the  general  course,  is  8i  chains  (1.782  yards),  but  in 
this  distance  there  are  two  extensive  sand  bars.  Between  Moose  Island  and  the 
westerly  shore  there  are  several  islands,  and  the  westerly  channel,  exclusive  of  them, 
appears  to  me  to  be  as  wide  as  that  east  of  Moose  Island  ;  so  altogether,  the  river 
here  must  be  considerably  over  two  miles  from  shore  to  shore.  .  •  .     „ 

"  The  easterly,  or  South  Channel,  as  it  is  locally  termed,  is  the  one  by  which  all 

the  traffic  is  carried  on.  ,  ,  -r.  .        1  * 

"  From  Moose  Factory  to  w  >are  the  shore  line  of  James  Bay  turns  sharply  east- 
ward is  12^  miles.  This  part  of  the  river  is  between  two  and  three  miles  wide,  with 
many  timbered  islands  and  sand  bars," 

The  following  extracts  from  the  Hudson  Bay  Company's  Journal  at  New  Post 
show  the  duration  of  the  navigable  season  for  a  period  of  13  years  : 

,o.s, River  here  clear  of  ice  20th  April  ;  first  snow  18th  October;  river  set 

nth  December.  „  ,    ^      ,  •  .      »  i^ 

1879  — River  clear  of  ice  2nd  May  ;  first  snow  i8th  October  ;  river  set  ist  De- 
cember. ,      ^^  ,  ^  ,    .r 

1880  — River  clear  8th  May;  first  snow  12th  November;  ri'-er  set  22nd  No- 
vember. ,    ^       ,  .     .u  r\ 

i8Si  —  River  clear  of  ice  30th  April  ;  first  snow  isth  October  ;  river  set  sth  De- 
cember. ,     ^        ,  ,  T^  1 

,882  — River  clear  nth  May  ;  first  snow  30th  October  ;  river  .set  3rd  December. 
,883  — River  clear  12th  May;  first  snow   ist   November;  river  set   i6th  No- 

1884  — River  clear  (date  not  stated,  but  appears  to  have  been  about  ist  May)  ; 
first  snow  I  Sth  October  ;  river  .set  7th  December. 

1885  — River  clear  4tn  May;  first  snow  20th  October;  river  set  24th  No- 
vember. ,    ^      ,  ./,...  j\ 

1886  — River  clear  20th  April  ;  first  snow.  15th  October  ;  river  se.  (not  stated). 
1S87  —  River  clear  3rd  May  ;  first  snow  24th  October  ;  river  set  (not  stated). 
18S8  — River  clear  nth  May;    first  snow  19th  October;    river  set  20th  No- 

1889— River  clear  27th  April;  first  snow  23rd  October;  river  set  i6th  No- 
vember. 

1890 —  River  clear  9th  May. 

I  passed  New  Post  on  20th  October,  and  the  temperature  of  the  water  was 
46"  ^  may  here  state  that  the  tempera'cure  of  the  river  wuter  was  taken  every  day 
up  to  Lake  Abitibi,  where,  on  the  28th  October,  it  wa.>  42°  ;  but  that  day  and  night 
a  strong  cold  north-\i^est  wind  biew,  which  lowered  it  to  39°  in  twenty-four  hours, 
and  at  Abitibi  post  it  was  the  same  on  the  morning  of  the  30th.  In  Upper  and 
Island  Lakes  it  was  from  44°  to  46°,  according  to  the  depth  of  the  water. »  In  the 
little  lake  at  the  summit  it  was  45^  although  quite  a  lot  of  snow  had  fallen  during 
the  day  The  first  snow-fall  I  saw  during  the  time  I  was  -n  the  field  was  nth 
October  1890  (the  day  I  left  Moose),  and  the  weather  all  the  way  to  Mattawa  was 
continuously  rainy  with  occasional  showers  of  snow.     The  temperature  of  the  lakes 


ice  of  which  rises 
mixture  of  silt  and 
d  about  two  miles 
d  the  fact  that  the 
pass  on  to  the  bay 
le  route  to  be  fol- 
)rehensively  would 
exactly. 

lOugh  shallow,  will 
(ossible  to  pass  the 
id  to  the  east  shore 
1,782  yards),  but  in 
ose  Island  and  the 
exclusive  of  them, 
Itogether,  the  river 

le  one  by  which  all 

turns  sharply  east- 
ree  miles  wide,  with 


ournal  at  New  Post 

■s  : 

October  ;  river  set 
r  ;  river  set  ist  I)e- 

ri''er  set  22nd  No- 
r  ;  river  set  sth  De- 

r  set  3rd  December, 
river  set   i6th  No- 
en  about  I  St  May)  ; 
river  set  24th  Ne- 
ver set  (not  stated). 
r  set  (not  stated), 
river  set  2otl;  No- 
river  set   1 6th  Ne- 


'e of  the  water  was 
vas  taken  every  day 
t  that  day  and  night 
n  twenty-four  hours, 
oth.  In  Upper  and 
the  water.  »  In  the 
w  had  fallen  during 
\  the  field  was  nth 
way  to  Mattawa  was 
erature  of  the  lakes 


THK    YUKON    DISTRICT 


121 


this  side  of  the  watershed  was  from  44°  to  48"  between  the  ist  and  i8th  November 
—  the  latter  temperature  being  in  the  deep  part  of  Lake  Temiscamingue,  which  gen- 
erally does  not  free.-5e  up  until  late  in  December. 

Another  part  of  the  proposed  route  starts  from  Missinaibi  on  the  C.  P.  R., 
thence  down  the  Missinaibi  River  to  James  Bay  at  Moose  Factory,  some  400  miles. 
Arriving  at  Moose  Factory  on  the  south  end  of  James  Hay,  we  now  have  a  distance 
of  nearly  900  miles  across  Hudson  Bay,  which  is  only  open  about  half  of  the  year  ; 
thence  up  Chesterfield  Inlet  and  Baker's  Lake,  a  distance  of  about  200  miles  ;  thence 
over  an  unknown  and  barren  country,  between  300  and  400  miles  to  the  end  of 
Great  Slave  Lake,  which  is  frozen  from  early  in  Decemb-r  until  very  late  in  June, 
the  ice  attaining  a  thickness  of  from  four  to  six  feet.  This  lake  is  about  350  miles 
in  length,  and  in  some  places  as  much  as  40  miles  in  width,  .so  that  the  wind  sweep- 
ing down  it  or  up  it  lengthwise  gets  up  quite  a  rough  sea.  This  route  might  be 
amended  and  made  more  of  an  all-water  route  by  making  Montreal  or  other  seaport 
the  point  of  departure  and  going  round  by  the  Atlantic  Ocean  and  Hudson  Straits, 
and  thence  across  Hudson  Bay  to  Chesterfield  Inlet,  and  from  there  on  as  above. 
At  the  lower  end  of  the  lake  we  enter  Mackenzie  River,  which  has  been  described 
in  connection  with  the  Edmonton  route  ;  and  the  remarks  there  apply  equally  to 
this  one. 

OCEAN   AND   RIVER   ROUTE. 

The  last  route  to  be  referred  to  is  the  Ocean  and  River  route. 

Starting  from  Victoria  or  Vancouver,  or  some  port  in  the  United  States,  we 
make  our  way  by  an  ocean  steamer  to  St.  Michaels,  a  distance  of  about  2,700 
miles  from  Victoria  or  Vancouver.  The  steamer  approaches  St.  Michaels  a  greater 
or  less  distance  as  she  d.i-aws  more  or  less  water.  A  boat  drawing  12  feet  of  water 
or  less  may  come  within  a  mile  of  it  —  one  of  greater  draught  has  to  anchor  further 
out.  The  cargo  is  discharged  on  "  lighters,"  towed  by  small  steamers  to  the  ware- 
houses of  the  several  companies.  From  here  up  to  Dawson  or  other  points  on  the 
Yukon,  passage  is  made  on  stern-wheel  steamers,  of  which  there  are  at  present  seven 
or  eight.  Four  belong  to  one  of  the  trading  companies,  three  to  the  other,  and  one 
cr  two  to  other  parties.  The  time  taken  in  ascending  the  river  from  St.  Michaels  to 
Dawson,  supposing  we  have  fair  weather  continuously,  is  from  14  to  18  days.  The 
steamer  has  to  fight  its  way  up  this  long  stream  against  a  stiff  current,  with,  in  low 
water,  shallow  places  at  several  points,  also  there  is  much  time  lost  procuring 
wood.  Much  of  the  fuel  at  present  used  is  cut  by  Indians,  and  piled  up  along  the 
banks.  For  the  first  500  miles  upwards  the  fuel  consists  entirely  of  driftwood,  as 
there  is  no  timber  in  the  vicinity  of  the  river  large  enough  to  be  utilized  for  that 
purpose.  Above  this  point  timber  is  plentiful,  but  green.  The  boat  is  tied  up  to 
the  beach,  all  hands  available  sent  ashore,  trees  cut  down,  generally  carried  on  board 
in  long  lengths,  and  sawn  into  proper  lengths  for  furnace  use  on  board.  Much  of 
this  is  entirely  green,  as  what  little  dry  wood  was  scattered  along  the  bank  of  the 
river  has  been  pretty  well  used  up.  In  the  future  much  delay  will  be  caused  to 
steamers  on  this  account,  as  the  wood  gets  further  and  further  from  the  river. 
Heretofore,  there  were  only  three  or  four  steamers  plying  on  the  river.  Next  sum- 
mer there  will  probably  be  25  or  30.  Now  these  will  use  up  in  a  single  trip  all  the 
wood  cut,  as  the  steamers  now  on  the  river  use  from  16  or  18  cords  per  day  to 
24  or  30. 

Through  the  kindness  of  Capt.  Kennedy  of  the  Alaska  Commercial  Company's 
steamer  "  Alice,"  I  am  able  to  give  her  dimensions  and  the  log  of  one  of  her  trips. 

Capt.  Barr  of  the  North  American  Transportation  and  Trading  Company  kindly 
gave  me  from  his  logs  the  distances  from  point  to  point  along;  the  river  as  he  de- 
duced them  from  the  travelling  rate  of  the  steamer.  I  am  inclined  to  think  his  dis- 
tances are  overestimated  and  that  a  survey  of  the  river  will  prove  it  shorter  than  he 
puts  it. 

Dimensions  of  steamer  "  Alice  :  " 

Length  165  feet  ;  beam  32  feet  ;  depth  8  feet. 

Compound  tandem  engines,  but  no  condenser,  high  pressure  cylinder,   14-inch 


•I 


^.■-jo^siWiM*^^^  -#iiw»«^sirtv**-""d""V. 


CANADA'S   C.REAT   GOLD    TIELD. 


„..,.e.  low  pressure,  ..   uu-h.     l-cn^.h  of  --l;'^:;,.^f ' s.^^;;   '^yZu^^^oo'toS 
pounds,  consumption  of  wo-nl  per  day  .6    "  '^^,,^'     '^  .^,^ '".  j.^^^     .  ."^  feet).     In  .896 

NUo?o  mouth  of  Tanana,  349  '-les,  ,6  '^<--, 3°  m-,  es^ 

Mouth  of  Tanana  to  Fort  Yukon.  456  '"'Ifs.  60  hours  25  mmuies. 

F       Vukc>n  to  Circle  City,  8.S  miles.  2.  hours  10  mmutes. 

circle  C.tv  to  Fortvmile,  156  n.iles,  47  hours  40  m.nutes. 

K,.rtvmile  to  Sixtymile.  97  niiles.  .9  lumrs  '5  •"•'u.tes.  ^^^^^^ 

•rhis^nakes  the  tot.U  runn.ng  tu.^^^ 

\l  S"n's;:e  Susi^hl^^^ost!  ;:r6  ho^rs  at  least  per  day  cuttin,  wood  and  lo.d- 

i'ly  '^-  ^i.,  i.,,,„-   thp  sinie  steamer  loaded  with  about  400 

Mouth  of  River  to  Nulato.  102  hours  55  mmutes. 
Nulato  to  Tanana,  37  liours  20  mmutes. 

Tanana  to  Yukon,  69  hours  50  mmutes.  , 

Yukon  to  Circle  City,  3.   hours  20  ■"'yj^'f^-    .^,,,^;^^'^,^,  ^  f,ow  'her  running 
and  came  up  to  Fortymde,  .n  47  '^;'"';^, ;  ;  ,:^°,  ^  o  mi\mS      F  rtynule  to  Cncle 

^::r\^:'^vzs':.:titJ!:;'z^::^^:^  s.  Michaei^was  4  .ays  ,0 

'"""Nearly  all  future  trips  will  have  to  be  made  on  wood  cut  by  the  crews  -  green 

at  that.  m;iH«  we  strike  what  is  known  as  the 

.After  we  get  up  the  nver  ^^''"^  .  '3°°  J> ''^^f^  ,fi[e  '  e,  ago,  now  filled  up 
Yukon  Flats.  These  tiats  were  no  "-'""^^^^^'^^^^'^J^^h^'re  too  shallow,  crooked  and 
with  numberless  islands  and  ^■>^^"!";;';';^^^V;^Vnudrfts  about  in  them,  changing 
narrow  for  steamboat  passage       I  he  sand^md  miu    c  ^^^^^  ^^^^ 

the  course  of  the  steamboat  channel,  and  ^^^"^^  >f'^;^;^  .l^^^J'^emained  high  until  well 
more  difficult  of  navigation.  In  the  -;"'"'"^'^^°^.  '^95  ^'  te^  C^mmecial  Company's 
into  September  ;  the  ,r^u,t^  was  tha  ^ -^^J;^  ::;::^^rS.er  to  Fort?  Je. 
steamers,  the     Arctic,    made  ti\e  passage  .     ■  -yi^^  fastest  round  trii> 

This  is  the  record  seasoii,  .    has  ne        been  r  p  at  d  smce^^^  ^  ,^  ^^^ 

on  record,  from  and  t"  ,^V  ..  Llrinvr  As  a  rule  the  trip  occupies  a  month. 
.'Alice,"  in  1897.     It  took  less  than  "  J>  ^  .   .f^^  "^^  %V^  high 

We  may  generally  count  on  ^^.^^j;'  ^'^  l^f ,'„''  X  theh-  way  over  Behring  Sea  to 
winds  render  it  impossible  for  nver  ^^^^^f ™^'^^^,^'"  '  f^^^^  "-^^l^^^  J„  the  return  trip,  and 
the  mouth  of  the  river.  The  same  ^leten  .0.  "^-^V  ^J  J'^j^^^^^^^^"  .  Then,  again,  the 
the  steamer  may  have  to  he  in  the  '"<  "^^  »^^^\'^"^,[''",',  it  is  only  open  for  3  or  3/2 
channel  at  the  mouth  is  .«1^^^»<-^,  .t";'  ^;°°'^^  ^  ""^^^  eJen  if  we  could  do  so  it  is  not 
months  in  the  year  it  ,s  impossible  to  .'^^^^  J J^' ,^Xtv  ;Vter  in  Behring  Sea  often 
permanent,  tor  the  ice  drifting  about  m  l^f/'™  J^f.^^J^ieh  were  heret 
'ploughs  up  the  mud  in  ridges,  making  1'^;"*^^%^'.  "^^  ^  ran  on  to  a  barrier  near  the 
[rood,  deep  water.  On  -"^  occasion,  in  ^^96> ^^^^^^^ ^,^  Zdand  tides  combined 
mouth  of  the  river  and  lay  there  for  14     '^^  f  ^°'^  ^.^^  ^^ter  the  countrv  by  this 

to  the  Al.-,sk.,  C,„n,„ercial  ^r'^SIi  f^l^lt^^o^  r^^"^'^'-"  ^'"""^ 
American  •r,ans|K,rlat,oii  ami  !  i.acl,ng  Lomi"  S  ■  ol  '-'7^^„„^„„,„  _  I  m.derstami, 
Coasl  NaviRation  Com|iaiiy  —  umces  at  \  itloria  aiiu  \  antoa 


lire   150  to   180 

about  500  tons, 

feet).     In  1896 

Jistances  are  by 


s. 


le  255  hours  and 
ing  1.597  i"''t;s. 
r  wood  and  lo.'ul- 

d  with  about  400 
)urse,  as  follows  : 


he  left  the  barge 
own,  I'er  running 
rtyniilc  to  Circle 
;ls  was  4  days  10 

he  crews  —  green 

is  known  as  the 
,go,  now  filled  up 
low,  crooked  and 
in  them,  changing 
getting  more  and 
led  high  until  well 
lercial  Company's 
river  to  Fortymile. 
fastest  round  trip 
npany's  steamboat 
occupies  a  month, 
laels.     There  high 
ver  Behring  Sea  to 
he  return  trip,  and 

Then,  again,  the 
f  open  for  3  or  3>^ 
ould  do  so  it  is  not 
Behring  Sea  often 
ch  were  heretofore 
a  barrier  near  the 
nd  tides  combined 
the  country  by  this^ 
han  the  middle  of 
It  Behring  Sea,  as  a 
it  was  not  until  the 

route  I  would  refer 
icisco,  or  the  North 
he  Canadian  racific 
rer  —  I    understand. 


THE    YUKON    DISTRICT. 


'23 


3 


^^^  CANADA'S   C.RKAT    COI.D   I'lKl.D. 

...e  puttin.  stean.,-s  on  this  route  '-^^^^  ^^ij'Sif  ^a^^^  "^^'oi:!  Jirlhe 
Railway.     >''y  ='.^l^>'-«-^^^'"g/l"^"*^;  "a'^^s  u.  thS  anl  terms.     This  route  of 

fullest  informafon  at  the.r  ^'^  ,f  .i';,'  '^1  Ln  what  mav  be  clue  to  ten  or  twelve 
course  involves  no  ne^sona  l^'^"'^'"l''  "^^''fj, '!  fnir  season  available  there  by  about 
days"  sail  on  the  ocean,  but  ^^^^^^^''^^^'^^^^'i^^.on  about  the  middle  of 
two  months.  Co  ng  m  by  ^  ^^,,^;"''  ;,;;|"',,r  uly  As  soon  as  access  is  convenient 
May,  Jioing  in  th>s  way  about  ^^e  muUne    t     u  ^         ^^^^  ^^^^^^^^  ^^  ^,^^^^    re.ght  can 

rU^tl'Sam:.  is  eL^to^sSllt^L  route  must  be  abandoned  to  a  very 

great  extent. 

FOOD  SUPPLIKS,   ETC. 

notes  00  tl,e  amouot  ''^l'""'7'"»/='l'"=,'^\{f«ou    "o  a  morUo.uhe,..  mU^ 

i-r;;s£r.„  i;;i:^rr^/iS'!;^o,;;:,.'^"S  o..,er  appa... »,..  .ea. . 

rocuiired.  ,  ,       .     a^  i  ,  „  u,-  nprsnns  sroine  in  on  the  Pacific  side  can 

All  supplies  required  '^^V^^^^^^  ^^^,  ^Zl  merchants  at  these  places 
be  obtained  at  the  cities  of  \  ^  ^^  ^''-^.^^S;"^^  and  prospectors,  and  know 

:,rcve   had   many  years' ^.xper>«nce    n      '   '"'"^  jj       ^o  the  conditi 
eactlv  what  a  man  should  take  with  him,  ,^^^^"3  ^'^^/s' testing,  and  from  the  ex- 
he  .goin-,  to  travel  or  work,  and  know  f';<;7.;"J">^>^tes  w  atclassof  goods  are 

sio  s:,e?"oS  ^s^^^'s:^'^^^^  -«--  -"'» "'  «"" 

was  ooce  Hudsou  «»>;'r"";i:»"^it''e"l'erW     sludied  and  are  thoroughly  (amiliar 
The  merchants  of  these  coast  cities  ua^  t  inc  udnig  the  Koot- 

withtherequirementsof  thecoun^^y  form  an>  pam  o;^^\';-j^',,pi„,„g^  parties  for 
enav,  Cassair  mines,  and  other  ^^f  J'S^^^' ^  }\\o"^^^  t,vo  cities  for  the  Pacific  journey, 
man}  years  past  ;  by  purchasing  in  ^f^/^^^^Y^^^eight  duties,  etc.  The  Canadian 
a  considerable  percentage  "^  .^°^i  '^.^^'^f  range  from  .5  to  30.  per 

customs  duties  on  goods  P^-^^^^ased  mU:  ot  the  ^  o  j^^^^^  baggage,  it  .s 

cent,  alone,  so  that  aside  rom  the  question  "[Posing  necessary  outfit  in  Canada 
obvious  that  a  considerable  saving  IS  mad^^^^^^^^^  ^  ^^„  be  pro- 

and  at  the  nearest  pou  t  to  the  ^"''°".  ^^®"''^/o  .,,e  Yukon  from  the  east  side  of 
cured.     Those  who  go  into  the  nK)untai^.  s^r  into  the  ^u^  ^.^  f^.j  „  . 

the  Rocky  ^l"""^^'"^',  ^^'■",J.^,,^'^^e£a, u^  ^t  the  pr  ncipal  points  have  had  a  wide 
same  conditions  to  apply.  He  ?^f  ^''!"^^^^'  ^i,,^'  u^^ring  the  past  season  many 
experience  in  outfitting  people  for  JfJ^^^^'^^^J^pHes  at  Calgary  ^  Edmonton. 
have  chosen  this  route,  and  P"";li^f^';  "^';,Stlig  es uSlishment^  As  between  the 
at  both  of  which  towns  there  are  '^'^Sf^  °";f  "'"f„^^;,oose  for  himself.  The  cost  ot 
two  cities  of  Calgary  and  Edmonton  f .  ^^^^^^^^j^'j" Ve  7ound,  freight  included,  to  be 
the  several  articles  he  will  reqmre  ^^''^  1  "^^  X^^  that  Yukon 

about  the  same.     It  will  be  '^f'^'fl''^^^:^^^^^^^^  purchaser  is  going  in 

outfitsshouldbepurchased  a   V.ctoia  or  J^a-^^^ouver  ^^l^^^ian  point,  if  he  is 

on  the  Pacific  side,  and  at  Ca  gary  or  E  "  o"tmi  00^^  ^^^  ^^^^^  ^^^ 
proceeding  by  the  plains  route.  "^^^"^'f^J^  ^  ^'s  consumption.  This  should 
Of  flour  we  require  at  least  45°  f"  l"" '"n,f  ^  fine  flour,  but  should  be  good 
be  of  fairly  good  grade.  t  need  "°; '^^^^^^  ^^j\^'l>,^,^„n"ell,  5  Pounds.  This  latter  1 
medium.  Oatmeal  or  rolled  oats,  50  pou-d  -^^^^^^^^^^^^^  a\varming  food.  Bacon 
do  not  consider  so  'f ^«^f^^>/',„°t!omuls  ev  porated  dried  apples.  25  pounds; 
(good,  fat).  250  pounds  ;  ^^7^;.  f  ,,f"' "''Vfu  cv  for  any  other  kind  of  dned  fru.is 
dried  peaches,  25  pomuls,  and  t  '  "  ^^''^f^,^  ^  ;"y  ie  or  other  of  the  above.  Good 
you  can  take  them  along  or  substitte. hem  Un  o,  e^  ^  ^^  ^^^^,^  ,^^^^  ^^^^^  ,^, 

black  tea.  25  pounds.     In  that  counuy  jou 


THE    YUKON    DISTRICT. 


'25 


inadian  Pacific 
vill  obtain  the 
This  route  of 
o  ten  or  twelve 
there  by  about 
t  the  middle  of 
ss  is  convenient 
that  freight  can 
doned  to  a  very 


itry  I  give  some 

will  reciuire  at 

nithern  latitude. 

ear  conduces  to 

0  keep  warm  the 
us  where  heat  is 

;  Pacific  side  can 
ts  at  these  places 
;ctors,  and  know 
ions  under  which 
and  from  the  ex- 
lass  of  goods  are 
traveller's  outfit, 
ch  are  sometimes 

1  districts  of  what 

oroughly  familiar 
luding  the  Koot- 
loring  parties  for 
e  Pacific  journey, 
;.     The  Canadian 
from  7.5  to  30  per 
;tra  baggage,  it  is 
y  outfit  in  Canada 
»plies  can  be  pro- 
XI  the  east  side  of 
nton,  will  find  the 
i  have  had  a  wide 
past  season  many 
ry  and  Edmonton, 
As  between  the 
nself.     The  cost  of 
•ht  included,  to  be 
better  that  Yukon 
chaser  is  going  in 
iian  point,  if  he  is 
n  are  : 

tion.  This  should 
.It  should  be  good 
inds.  This  latter  1 
ming  food.  Bacon 
apples,  25  pounds; 
kind  of  dried  fruits 
f  the  above.  Cood 
rood,  hot,  black  tea 


after  a  long,  cold  tramp,  very  invigoratinjj  —  in  fact,  it  proves  "  the  rup  that  cheers 
but  not  mebriatt'S."  Coffee,  10  pounds;  sugar  (good  granulaleil).  100  pounds.  If 
you  take  the  ordinary  brown  sugar  in  tiie  winter  it  freezes  into  a  hard  lump  and  is 
very  difficult  to  manipulate.  Not  so  with  granulated  ;  it  remaining  dry,  of  course 
remains  i)owdered.  Beans,  120  pounds.  There  are  several  kiiuls  of  beans  of  \yliich 
you  may  make  choice  according  to  your  taste,  but  the  ordinary  bean  sold  there  is  the 
brown  bean,  about  twice  the  size  of  the  small  white  one.  Pot  barley,  10  pounds; 
rice,  15  ]K)ini(ls  ;  extract  of  beef,  two  dozen  four  ounce  tins.  I  have  found  Johnson's 
Fluid  Ljef  to  be  very  good.  Baking  powder  12  or  15  pounds;  salt,  30  pounds; 
pepper,  one  pound  ;  mustard,  one  pound  ;  compressed  vegetables,  10  or  12  pounds, 
depending  upon  the  kind  you  take.  Canned  fruits  may  or  may  not  be  taken,  but  they 
are  bulky  and  heavy,  consequently  inconvenient  and  in  winter  a  source  of  trouble  in 
that  country,  as  the' contents  freeze  solid  and  require  a  very  long  time  to  thaw.  You 
should  also  take  10  or  15  or  more  pounds  of  baking  soda,  as  you  may  think  neces- 
sary. In  case  of  scurvy  one  might  provide  lime  juice,  more  or  less  as  their  taste  sug- 
ges'ts,  but  the  drietl  fruits  already  named  are  antiscorbutic  in  their  action  and  if  we 
wish  to  make  further  provision  in  that  direction  we  might  take  two  or  three  dozen 
tins  of  good  orange  marmalade,  and  a  similar  quantity  of  strawberry  or  raspberry 
jam.  These,  as  put  up  by  some  firms,  are  very  good.  Dried  potatoes  are  put  uj)  in 
several  forms  and  are  good  ;  25  or  30  pounds  of  thc^e  should  be  taken.  Other 
vegetables  are  i)ut  up  also  from  which  you  may  select  as  you  fancy,  but  you  should 
take  the  above  (piantity  of  potatoes  and  8  or  10  pounds  of  dried  onions.  Take 
along  also  a  few  dozen  yeast  cakes,  you  may  have  a  chance  to  use  them  once  in 
awhile,  and  their  weight  and  cost  are  trifling.  For  convenience  I  recajjitulate,  in 
list  form  : — 


Flour, 450  P'Jinids. 

Oatmeal 50       " 

Cornmeal, 25 

Bacon  (Good,  fat),    .     .     .  250 

Hams, 50 

Evaporated  dried  appl'.s,  .  25 

Dried  peaches,      ....  25 

Tea 25       " 

Coffee, 10 

Sugar, 100       " 

Beans, 120 

Barley  (pot), 10 

Rice, 15 


Extract  Beef,  say  .  .  . 
Baking  powder,       .     .     . 

Salt, 

Pepper, 

Mustard, 

Compressed  vegetables,  . 
Canned  fruits,  say  .  .  . 
Jams  in  tins,  1  lb.  each,  . 

Baking  soda, 10 

Potatoes  and  Onions, 

Total  weight,  .     . 


6 

pounds. 

12 

•  30 

I 

12 

•  30 

•  24 

10 

•  35 

1,319  pounds. 

This  will  prove  ample  and  to  spare  for  any  healthy,  vigorous  man,  work  as 
hard  as  he  may,  but  it  is  well  to  have  a  little  too  much  rather  than  too  little.  It  is 
well  also  to  bear  in  mind  that  there  is  much  wa.ste  connected  with  the  ordinary 
transport  and  use  of  provisions  under  the  conditions  generally  attending  prospect- 
ing and  the  cooking  incidental  to  it.  It  will  be  noticed  that  the  above  list  contains 
no  canned  meats.  These  are  .sometimes  convenient  when  making  a  journey,  and 
their  use  is  largely  a  matter  of  taste.  Some  relish  them,  while  others  have  "  no 
use  "  for  them.  In  this  line,  as  in  some  other  matters,  each  will  consult  his  own 
tastes  and  means.  Packed  in  tins  as  they  are,  they  are  somewhat  inconvenient  to 
l)ack,  and  the  tin  adds  considerably  to  the  weight.  For  preservation  it  is  ab.so- 
lutely  necessary  that  the  stuff  be  hermetically  sealed.  It  is  a  pity  some  more  con- 
venient mode  of  putting  up  were  not  adopted,  lessening  the  weight,  while  not  risk- 
ing spoiling  by  contact  with  the  air.  The  cost  of  this  outfit  will,  of  course,  vary 
considerably,  according  to  time  and  place  of  purchase,  but  in  any  of  the  cities  or 
towns  where  you  are  likely  to  purchase  all  your  requirements  will  likely  cost  no 
more  than  $200.00,  and  maybe  less.  ,'\t  the  prices  ruling  on  the  Yukon  it  will  be 
more  than  double  that  ;  $450.00  is  rated  as  a  fair  "  grub  stake,"  that  is  your  require- 
ment for  one  year. 


136 


CANADA'S   C.RKA'I'   (iOLD    FIKLD. 


The  followinjr  list  and  prices  arc  fiirnisiicd  by  an  Edmonton  tirm,  subject,  of 
course,  to  lluctuations  in  llie  ruling  j^rices  eisewiu-re.  whicii  will  not  however,  altect 
the  gross  amount  very  much,  'laken  as  a  whole  the  amount  will  not  differ  much 
from  the  same  list  at  other  points. 


4  Sacks  flour,  9X  lbs.  each,     .     . 

20  lbs.  Corn  meal 

40  lbs.  Rolled  oats 

25  lbs.  I.  Rice, 

100  lbs.  Beans 

75  lbs.  G.  Sugar, 

75   lbs.  Kvap.   apricots,  peaches 

and  apples, 

6  Pkgs.  Yeast  cakes 

20  lbs.  Candles, 

150  lbs.  Bacon, 

25  lbs.  lUitter, 

10  lbs.  Baking  powder,      .     .     . 

3  Pkgs.  Soda, 

20  lbs.  Salt, 

1  lb.  Pepper 

Yi  lb.  Mustard 

Yi  lb.  G.  Ginger 

10  Pkgs.  Evap.  Vegetables,   .     . 

2  l)oz.  Cond.  Milk, 

10  lbs.  Tea 

25  lbs.  Coffee 

y,  Doz.  Abbey's  Effervescent  Salt, 

Laundry  soap 

Matches, 

Evap.  Potatoes  and  onions,    .     . 
2  Pair  Heavy  blankets, .... 

2  Suits  underwear, 

2  Cottonade  shirts, 

2  Sweaters 

I  Heavy  suit, 

I  Pair  pants, 

I  Pair  overalls, 

1  Mackinaw  suit, 

2  Pair  Arctic  sox, 

6  Pair  wool  sox, 

2  Pair  mitts, 

2  Pair  moccasins, 

3  Towels, 

I  Pair  rubber  boots,  hip,  .  .  . 
I  Pair  laced  boots,  miner's,  .  . 
Mosquito  net, 


10.00 

•70 
1.30 

1-75 

4-5° 
4.87 

10.25 

•50 

3.00 

16.50 

3-75 
2.50 

•30 
.40 

•25 

•25 

•25 
2.00 

45° 
4.00 

10.00 

3.60 

1.00 

.80 

4.00 

14.00 
S-oo 

'•50 
3.00 

750 

2.00 

1.25 

10.00 

••5° 

1-50 
1. 00 

3.00 

•75 
5.00 

5.00 
■5° 

$15307 


Brought  forward. 

Buttons,  needles  and  thre 
I  Camp  cook  stove, 
I  Gold  i'an 

1  Knife  and  fork,      .     . 

2  Spoons 

I  Large  granite  spoon, 

I  Large  fork 

I  Granite  cup,  .  .  . 
I  Granite  plate,    .     .     . 

I  Whetstone 

I  Pick  and  handle,  .  . 
I  Hatchet  and  liandle,  . 
I  Axe  and  handle,    .     . 

I  Whip  saw 

I  X  Cut  saw 

I  Hand  saw 

1  L.  H.  Shovel,  .  .  . 
20  lbs.  nails 

2  Files 

I  Draw  knife 

I  Plane 

Brace  and  bits,     .     .     . 

3  Chisels 

t  Butcher  knife,   .     .     . 

I  Compass 

Rope 

I  Fry  Pan 

t  Hammer,       .... 

I  Auger 

I  Bake  kettle 

I  Best  copper  kettle,  . 
I  Steel  i^aii,  .  .  .  • 
I  Granite  wa.sh  basin,  . 
T  Candle  lantern,  .  . 
I  lb  Quicksilver,  .  . 
I  Pair  Goggles,  .  .  • 
I  Caulking  iron,  .     .     . 

10  lbs.  Pitch 

15  lbs.  Oakum,  .  .  . 
Sundries, 


■id. 


$15307 

•25 
5.00 

•75 
•'5 
•05 
•«5 
.10 

•>S 
•'5 
,10 

1-25 
•75 

1-25 

9.00 

350 
1. 00 
1. 00 
1. 00 
.40 

•75 

.90 

2.00 

•75 

•25 

•50 

150 

•25 

•5« 

•65 

1-50 

6.00 

•75 
.40 

•35 

.90 

•25 

•75 

1. 00 

2.00 

2.18 


^203.20 


A  few  words  on  packing,  or  putting  up  the  goods  for  transport  may  be  of  use 
to  manv  Flour  should  be  put  in  a  good  cotton  sack,  50  pounds  m  a  sack  ;  tvyo  ot 
those  afe  then  put  into  a  good  strong  gunny  sack.  For  ordinary  transport  this  is 
not  more  than  enough,  and  for  prospecting  tours  one  of  the  50  pound  sacks  inside 
th.'  gunny  sack  will  be  found  quite  .ufficient.  Sugar,  beans,  rice,  barley,  me?l  and 
bacon  mav  be  packed  in  the  same  way,  with  advantage. 

I  would  not  recommend  oiled  cotton  for  covering,  the  oiling  seems  to  rot  the 


irm,  sul)ject,  of 
however,  affect 
not  differ  imich 


ad, 


•25 
5.00 

•75 
•5 
•05 
•  «5 
.10 

•IS 

•>s 

.10 

I-2S 

•75 
I  25 
9.00 

3-5° 
1. 00 
1. 00 
1. 00 
.40 

•75 
.90 

2.00 

■75 

•25 

•50 

I-50 

■25 

•5" 
•65 

6.00 

•75 
.40 

•35 
.90 

•25 

•75 
1. 00 

2.00 

2.18 

$203.20 


rt  may  be  of  use 
in  a  sack  ;  two  of 

transport  this  is 
ound  sacks  inside 

barley,  me?l  and 

seems  to  rot  the 


THK    YUKON    DISTRICT 


12: 


cotton  fibre  and  render  it  easily  torn,  besides  in  rnid  weather  it  is  as  brittle  £••.  glass, 
and  the  result  is  we  have  no  covering  at  all  in  a  few  days. 

'I'he  jjunny  cloth,  if  jjood  and  heavy,  will  exclude  (|iiite  a  lot  of  rain.  In  the  ca.se 
of  flour  a  thin  lajer  of  it  will  j,Ht  wet  anil  form  a  d<)uy;li  which  e.xcliides  water  almost 
perfectly  ;  that  amount  of  flour  is,  of  coi.  •,  lost,  but  that  is  provided  for  in  the 
amount  above  given.  In  wet  weather  sugar  will  have  to  be  larefully  looked  after, 
as  once  wet  the  action  seems  to  continue  until  the  whole  is  conve'-ted  into  syrup  if 
the  temperature  permits,  and  if  it  does  not  it  is  fro/en  into  a  mass  as  hard  as  rock. 
'These  remarks  may  be  in  a  good  degree  applied  to  salt,  and  I  would  say  emphatically 
look  after  your  sugar  and  .salt.  Compressed  tea  offers  the  ailvantage  of  less  bulk, 
and  if  it  is  not  taken,  get  tea  put  up  in  pound  tins  as  some  of  it  used  to  be.  'i'liis  is 
convenient  in  use,  as  only  a  small  cpiantity  of  it  is  opened  at  one  time,  and  we  ob- 
viate deterioration  of  a  large  amount  of  it  through  exposure. 

The  other  articles  may  be  packed  in  cases  for  transport  into  the  country,  and 
then  put  up  to  suit  convenience.  Care  should  be  exercised  that  none  of  the  cases 
weigh  much  over  one  hundred  pounds  until  we  have  better  tnmsport  facilities  than 
at  present  exist.  'That  is  about  all  the  ordinary  untrained  man  wants  to  hanille  and 
for  some  months  to  come  there  will  be  much  manual  labour  in  connection  with  trans- 
port there. 

Hedding  and  other  things  of  that  kind  one  will  have  to  provide  as  suits  his 
peculiar  needs. 

In  the  way  of  clothing,  the  principal  difference  between  that  country  and  this  is 
that  one  reipiires  much  heavier  underclothing.  'The  ordinary  woollen  garments,  such 
as  worn  by  lumbermen  and  others  in  this  climate,  are  sufficiently  heavy  for  that,  ex- 
cept when  travelling  on  the  open  or  on  the  rivers,  in  whi(-h  case  some  sort  of  fur  is 
necessary,  more  especially  if  it  is  blowing.  Ordinary  woollen  coats  will  not  keep  out 
the  winds,  and  when  the  thermometer  is  40  or  50  below  zero,  and  t  20  to  30  mile 
wind  blowing,  one  is  not   very  long  exposed   before  considerable  suffering  ensues. 


n 


I-rom  Photo.  l>y  IV.  (^ulvU. 
Near  the  Hinimlary. —  Oiu'-lialf  of  tin.-  I'lvvious  Day's  Hag. —  Alaska,  Canada. 


i.'S 


CANADA'S    C.KKAI'    C.OI.I)    FIKM). 


St.  Micliatls  from  the   li.ist. 


/■roni  J'/iolo.  hy  \\\  O-ih.it. 


("lood  heavy  woollen  mitts,  uitii  a  pair  of  deerskin  mitts  over  them,  is  all  that  is  re- 
(liiired.  In  the  way  of  beddinjj;  a  j^ooil  iieavy  fur  blanket  is  almost  indis|)ensal)le  ; 
ordinary  woollen  blankets,  no  matter  how  many  one  has,  will  not  keep  warm,  lint  in 
this  there  is  a  wide  latitude,  depending  on  differences  of  physical  constitution.  I 
have  seen  two  men  in  the  same  tent  at  the  same  lime  with  the  same  amount  of  bed- 
ding, one  sleepless  from  cold  and  the  other  comfortable,  hence,  as  I  .said  before,  each 
will  have  to  determine  for  himself  as  suits  his  temperament  ;  of  course  the  less  one 
can  do  with  the  more  convenient  it  is. 

Blankets  have  been  made  in  that  country  of  fo.\,  lynx,  wolf  and  bearskin,  'i'hey 
art  very  expensive,  costing  from  $60  to  $120,  depending  u]K)n  the  nature  of  the  fur 
and  the  size  of  the  blanket.  In  the  future,  however,  they  are  absolutely  out  of  the 
ipiestion.  for  the  supi)ly  of  fur  there  is  constantly  diminishing,  and  it  is  only  a  ques- 
tion of  a  year  or  two  until  none  will  be  found  in  the  vicinity  of  the  diggings,  nor 
anywhere  near  them.  These  should  be  jirocureii,  if  possible,  here  Lyn.v  makes  a 
vti_,  durable,  light,  warm  blanket,  and  1  woukl  recommend  it  above  all  others  on  ac- 
count of  its  lightness  and  \  rmth.  Fo.\  is  good,  but  not  so  durable  as  lynx.  Wolf 
is  also  good,  but  heavier,  and  not  so  warm  as  lynx,  and  the  same  may  be  said  of 
bearskin.  I  have  no  doubt  that  necessity  will  induce  manufacturers  to  devise  some 
cheap  substitute  for  fur.  Sleeping  bags  are  made  which  will  be  useful  and  comforta- 
ble. Of  these  1  would  .say  choose  the  one  that  gives  you  the  most  thickness  between 
you  and  the  ground,  of  course  not  neglecting  the  covering.  Often  in  winter,  when 
camping  out,  more  cold  is  felt  from  below  tlian  above.  Waterproof  clothing  is  not 
suitable  for  that  country  ir  the  winter.  The  intense  frosts  so  harden  it  that  it  cracks, 
and  soon  breaks  into  pieces.  A  good,  large  raccoon  skin  overcoat  is  very  desirable. 
It  is  cheap  and  durable.  While  travelling  in  cold  winter  weather  your  knees  will 
give  you  more  trouble  than  any  other  part  of  the  body.  I  have  found  a  fur-  covering 
for  them  resembling  a  section  of  the  leg  of  a  i)ants,  about  one  foot  long,  and  fast- 
ened to  your  under  garment  so  as  to  cover  the  knee,  is  all  that  is  required.     What- 


I'hoto.  hy  II'.  (\'i/:i,: 


,  is  all  that  is  re- 
ist  indispensahle  : 
ep  warm.  Hut  in 
1  constitution.  I 
le  amount  of  bed- 
said  before,  each 
ourse  the  less  one 

1  bearskin.  They 
:  nature  of  the  fur 
olutely  out  of  the 
1  it  is  only  a  ques- 

the  diggings,  nor 
;.  Lyn\  makes  a 
e  all  others  on  ac- 
)le  as  lyn.\.  Wolf 
e  may  be  said  of 
ers  to  devise  some 
eful  and  comforta- 

thickness  between 
jn  in  winter,  when 
jof  clothing  is  not 
en  it  that  it  cracks, 
I  is  very  desirable, 
^r  your  knees  will 
)und  afu!-  covering 
)ot  long,  and  fast- 
s  required.     What- 


IIIK    VIKON    IH.S'I'RK'I' 


I-'.) 


ever  tnalerial  is  used  it  should  be  wind-jiroof  and  tltick.  Tlu'  other  things  that  one 
may  re(|uire  will  have  to  suggest  themselves  to  eat  h  one  for  Inmself,  but  ton  much 
need  not  be  tak<Mi.  j)on()t  load  yourself  dnwii  with  extras.  Rubber  boots  are  Mi- 
dispensable  during  the  spring,  sumiiur  and  f.ill  months.  These  <  an  be  procured  in 
the  country  at  from  $io  to  $14  jn-r  pair,  that  is,  miners'  boots,  whuli  come  up  the 
full  length  of  the  leg.  Shorter  ones  cost  less,  of  course.  These  may  be  taken  as 
they  can  be  jirocured  cheai)er.  but  there  is  nearly  always  a  g(,od  assortment  on  hand 
at  the  trading  i)oints. 

In  the  way  of  hardware  one  recpiires  a  couple  of  good  cho|)ping  axes.  .\\cs  ;ire 
sold  with  a  ilouble  bit  —  that  is,  a  double  eilged  axe  of  which  one  maybe  kept  in  f.iir 
order  for  chopping  and  the  other  used  for  rougher  work.  .\  brace  and  set  of  bits  is 
in(lis|HMisable,  ranging  from  ^  to  1J3  inches  in  size.  Mannnei  and  wire  nails, 
ilifferenl  sizes,  are  also  indis|)i'nsable  ;  the  more  you  can  take  of  these  the  better,  but 
of  course  the  (piantity  will  have  to  be  regulated  by  your  transport  facilities,  .\  small 
hand-saw  is  absolutely  necessary,  with  an  assortment  of  screw  nails  of  dillerent  sizes, 
and  suitable  screw  drivers,  and  a  i  or  i  '4  inch  auger  will  prove  very  useful.  A  miners' 
pick  is  also  indispensable,  and  a  miners'  shovel.  Of  rope  wcrei  uire  25  or  ,?o  |)ouiids 
of  assorted  sizes,  from  one-(|uarter  inch  up  to  one  inch,  and  if  we  contemplate  build- 
ing a  boat  for  ourselves,  a  whi|)saw,  oakum  and  pitch.  Of  the  latter,  10  to  jo  pounds 
inay  be  taken  and  5  to  10  of  the  oakum.  The  other  artii  les  of  hardware,  sm  h  as 
dishes,  knives,  forks,  spoons,  kettles,  etc..  eac^h  one  will  have  to  select  for  himself. 
His  sujiply  should  be  based  on  his  prospecting  intentions  and  the  length  of  time  he 
e.xpects  to  be  absent  from  jiointsof  trade. 

.\  rille  and  shotgun  may  [irove  useful  and  are  a  sort  of  necessity,  but  as  a  rule 
they  prove  of  very  little  use.  as  game  is  seldom  met  with,  and  what  little  there  is,  one 
has  no  time  to  follow.  Hunting  is  an  art  which  recpiires  long  experience  to  ilevelop. 
Occasionally  one  obtains  a  shot  at  a  moose  or  caribou,  but  these  are  often  accidental, 
and  your  gun  may  be  carrietl  for  years  without  benel'iting  you  one  dollar.     Still,  by 


/  fi'i/i  Photo,  hy  II'.  0.;ilvit\ 


Al.isk.i  Commercial  Co.'s  Wharf,  St.  Michaels. 


t.\° 


CANADA'S   CKKA'I    COl.I)    I'IKM). 


/■'rom  I'hoto.  />v  IV.  (>i,'-i/:ie. 
The  North   Ainciiciin  Traiisporlalion  iinil  'rrailinj»  ("n.'s  Steamer   "Charles  II. 
Ilaiiiihini"  1)11  till'  Hlock-'  a  few  days  l>efi)re   l.aimchiny. 


all  means  take  them  along.  You  may  if(iuire  them,  you  never  know  when,  and  when 
you  do  require  them  you  re(|uire  tliem  in  earnest.  Fishing  hooks  anil  lines  may  be 
taken,  hut  of  these  it  may  be  said  as  (  f  the  guns. 

Needles,  thread,  and  yarn  anil  cloth  for  niiMnling  and  patching,  are  reciuired.  of 
course,  and  each  one  will  have  to  iletermine  for  himself  the  amount  he  needs.  Y'ou 
cannot  make  a  nistake  by  taking  more  than  you  actually  contemi)late  using,  as  the 
weight  and  bulk  is  unimportant  .\  small  medicine  chest  is  imperative.  Kor  con- 
tents of  this  1  would  suggest  medical  advice.  W'iiat  would  suit  one,  anoth'T  would 
not  re(]uire,  and  each  will  have  t  nave  determined  for  himself  anil  for  his  peculiar 
case  just  what  he  should  lake.  l'a|)er,  envei)|)es,  pens,  ink  and  ])encils  are  neces- 
sary, as  you  should  never  neglect  to  write  whene^'er  possible  ;  i)y  all  means  keep  up 
the  connection  with  home.  If  you  can  procure  powders  for  making  ink  take  them, 
as  most  of  the  inks  sold  are  injured  by  frost,  besides  the  liability ;  break  your  bottle 
when  it  does  freeze. 

A  pocket  comppss  is  useful,  and  if  you  take  one  take  a  good  one,  with  a  needle  not 
less  than  an  inch  ard  a  half  to  two  inches  in  length,  and  when  selecting  take  the  needle 
which  takes  the  longest  time  to  settle  after  Lacing  put  o.scillating.  The  one  which  set- 
tles quickly  is  useless.  It  may  be  stated  generally  that  the  magnetic  needle  points 
east  of  true  north  from  32^  degrees  at  Lake  I.indeman  to  36''  at  the  boundary. 

In  moving  about  the  country  a  boat  is  absolutely  necessary.  There  are  no  regu- 
lar lines  of  steamers  on  the  main  river  at  present,  though  possibly  there  may  be  the 
coming  season,  and  if  there  arc  they  will  only  take  us  along  the  main  stream  from 
one  of  the  minor  streams  t(j  another,  as  we  may  desire.  Landed  at  the  mouth  of  a 
small  stream,  we  reijuire  sone  sort  of  a  boat  to  make  progress  in.  Now  boats  made 
there  are  necessarily  heavy  and  imperfect  in  construction,  also  of  bad  form.  I  would 
advise  taking  some  light,  easily  portable  boat  from  here  or  elsewhere,  is  one  may 
l^rocure  it  easiest  and  best.     In  my  opinion  the  best  boat  for  general  use  in  that 


Iiarlcs  II. 


'  when,  and  when 
ind  lines  may  be 

J,  are  required,  of 
it  he  needs.  Voii 
late  usin^,  as  the 
native.  I'or  con- 
ic, anoth'^r  would 
ul  for  his  peculiar 
pencils  are  neces- 
dl  means  keep  up 
g  ink  take  them, 
')reak  your  bottle 

with  a  needle  not 
nji;  take  the  needle 
['he  one  which  set- 
etic  needle  points 
;he  boundary. 
I'here  are  no  regu- 

there  may  be  the 
main  stream  from 
it  the  mouth  of  a 

Now  boats  made 
ad  form.  I  would 
ivhere,  is  one  may 
;eneral  use  in  that 


'IIIK    YUKON    DISIRIC't". 


'3' 


cotmtry  is  of  the  canoe  form,  many  of  which  are  l)iii!t  in  the  I  .nvince  of  Ontario  and 
elsewhere.  The  pattern  I  would  sti^fgest  is  cnnnnoniy  known  .is  the  I'elerbonuigh. 
or  Kice  1-ake  canoe,  of  which  many  kinds  are  m.uie.  Uass  wood  is  the  best  wt  od 
for  all  rounil  use.     I  give  the  dimensions  of  some  of  them. 

A  17  foot  canoe,  41  inches  wide  and  17  inches  df-jp,  will  weigh  about  130  or  140 
pounds  when  dry.  This  canoe  wdl  carry  twclv  'iv  fourteen  hundredweight,  ,uul 
two  or  three  men.  Of  course  this  will  load  it  pretty  well,  and  if  our  load  is  bulky  it 
re(piires  some  experience  to  stow  it  away  in  a  boat  of  that  size.  Practice  soon  over- 
comes this. 

An  18  foot  canoe,  43  inches  wide  and  18  inches  deep,  will  weigh  a  little  more, 
and  carry  a  hundred  or  two  hundred  more  pounds  easily. 

A  19  foot  canoe,  46  or  47  inches  wide  and  18  inches  deep,  will  weigh  when  dry 
about  175  or  180  pounds,  anil  will  easily  and  safely  carry  eighteen  or  twenty  lum- 
dredweight  and  two  or  three  men. 

Larger  ones  are  made  of  which  I  give  some  figures. 


I,ength. 

w 

'idth. 

1 

tepth. 

Weight. 

Cajiacity. 

Price. 

21  feet 

49 

niches 

18 

inches 

'35   ll>«' 

2200  lbs. 

$51. 

00  to  $57.00 

22      " 

50 

ti 

18 

tt 

140    " 

2500    " 

54- 

00  to     6000 

23      " 

SI 

tt 

iS 

tt 

'45     " 

2700    " 

57. 

00   to     63.00 

24      " 

52 

(( 

18 

it 
an 

150    " 
)ther  make 

2900    " 

60. 

00  to     66.00 

23      " 

50 

ti 

24 

11 

275    " 

2850  at   12" 
5120  at   20 

draft  1 
draft  \ 

cost  $58  00 

25      " 

50 

t( 

24 

ft 

300    " 

3200  at   12" 
5600  at  20" 

draft  / 
draft  \ 

cost     60.00 

30      " 

50 

t( 

24 

tt 

35°    " 

3800  at   1 2" 
6500  at  20" 

draft  / 
draft  \ 

cost     75  00 

Nulato,   Lower  Viikoii,    .\laska. 


/■')om  I'lioto.  Iiy  \y.  Ogtlvie. 
Steamer   "J     J.    Healey "  at   the  lieacii. 


CANADA'S    CRKAT   COIH    I  IKI.I>. 


T,,,    ilu.vf   wiMuhts   wore   f..r,u>l...l   im-   t.y  the   makerv     The  wckIUs   m   the 
1  I  mr  tlu.  list    irt-  Ir.mi  mv  nwi.  ..l-s.-rvatioi.  after   the  c.ince   had 

i;;';z,::::;;:i':;ir'''iuic;uirn;r,h;- :;:...  ■!.,■  »■ a i-  .„>  „„„.« ,. .» ,.. 

'°  '''n','."''(.i-,v.hl  r:,u-  .,n  lli..«-  can..™  (r..i.i  »l,frv  Ih.-y  a,-.-  i..a.l..  i.i  c  !..>■... '.  |.. 
?'■'?  'T,';..,,,  L-     N,"       >.■  .V  .V  ...  !..->   wav  t..  s,.„.l  .1,.-....  a,„l  la1'«.-  |.a,n.c« 

=  i'^io^r  ;e  hid  ^,    U^^  «.l.  lly  Ih.s  c.,nstant  wearu.K.  .   liy  all  means  «et  then, 
pole  IS  soon  reuuLcu  .  ,^,       ^        Several  kinds  of  points  are  made,  but  a  k"""' 

a"  U  covers  the  end  of  the  p..le.  and  is  capable  of  bem«  securely  fastened  to  >t. 
"  '"hnX^'the  boat  or  canoe,  th.  poler  stands  up.  ,H.ts  the  end  of  his  pole  to  the 

]T^.r^^iL ,.« .lay has <^fv>r^,^i^':^;T;r:^^  ir. ...  - '. 


WlMirlltS     111     the 

the    (.1111  >c    IukI 
iiK  ira><f  It    lo  to 

If  in  ( tiit.iriii  to 

iimiminn   \Vfii;ht 

s|)a( f  till-   liiiat 

llcrnit  si/i'»,  tlu' 

Kit,  and    iH  tuot, 

$21.20.  nr  alxiiit 

about  §10. 50  ptT 

and  \i\r^f  [Mrlii's 

m  liaii^lioii.  and 

III  ordfiiii;;   .1 

lavv  |)adille'».  not 

poll's  tor  i^oliny;, 

ot  j;ood,  straivjlit- 

t   111  U'li^lli,  alioiit 

or  I  'h  .It  tin-  top 

ifter.      Tlic  point 

ti'iH'd  to  it  witli  a 

1  our  jouriii'vs  for 

I  any  wv  nuiy  yet 
)  covt-r  till-  t  .iiioe 

.sary  anil  pri'vent 
s  witli  advantage, 
It  will  |)rovf  vt-ry 
(id.  Down  stream 
treaiii  we  have  to 
ly  too  swift  to  be 
nt  if  they  can  be 
em.  Unless  they 
,  that  is,  the  soft 
lie  to  time,  and  the 

II  means  ^ei  them 
;  made,  but  a  j^ood 
lore  socket   points 

any  kind,  so  loii); 
rely  fastened  lo  it, 

.1  of  his  pole  to  the 
as  may  be  desired 
.ml  laborious  work, 
inderful  how  a  boat 
is  work.  As  much 
.'ould  probably  tire 

that  is,  more  than 
(r  polinjf,  as  in  mud 
ihdrawal  often  luil- 
leach  is  suitable  for 

is  attached  to  the 
e,  called  a  bridle,  is 
ward  from  where  it 
loat  will  steer  itself. 
Iravv  the  bow  out  so 
s,  anu  with  proper 

from  the  shore.  It 
le  only  attention  he 


Till'.    VI  K<  "N    hl>l  KK    I'. 


!.».< 


/■>;:»,  /'/;,./,.,  /.,.  II'.  (\'itvL: 
I'roltytcri.ui    Minion,   .Xiiviik,    Lower  \  iiUnii,   .M.iska.  • 


bestows  oil  it  is  to  see  that  it  avoids  rocks,  trees  and  other  obstacles  aloii.i^  the  beach, 
and  111  rouiuliiiiLj  points  he  has  to  manipulate  the  boat  to  keep  her  away  from  the 
point.  This  is  by  far  the  easier  mode  of  takinij;  a  boat  up  stream.  Two  men  haiil- 
'\\\\t  on  a  line  on  a  fair  beach  will  walk  from  2^3  to  3  miles  per  hour,  if  they  so  desire, 
ami  haul  the  boat  up  bad  jilaces  with  comparative  ease.  1  have  seen  a  boat  taken 
up  a  pretty  steep  rapids  in  this  way  at  a  good  smart  rate.  After  the  pair  on  the  line 
have  kept  up  this  (.jait  for  half-an-hoiir  or  an  hour  they  become  warm  and  somewhat 
tired.  With  a  i)arty  of  four  the  two  in  the  boat  change  places  with  those  on  the  line, 
taking  a  similar  spell  as  it  is  called,  and  those  on  the  line  take  their  places  in  the 
boat.  When  the  last  two  become  tired  and  warm  they  take  a  sjiell  in  the  boat  again, 
and  so  on.  Thus  between  hauling  and  resting,  they  can  keep  iij)  a  good  smart  gait 
without  fatiguing  themselves  very  much.  Four  lively,  good  men,  along  a  fair  beach, 
will  generally  be  able  to  haul  a  boat  or  canoe,  such  as  I  have  described,  25  or  30 
miles  per  day,  and  at  the  eiiil  not  feel  nearly  so  fatigued  as  paildling  or  poling  would 
make  them.  A  greater  number,  of  course,  will  have  an  easier  time,  and  less  a 
harder  time,  but  two  men  can  do  a  good  day's  work  in  this  way.  Myself  and  a  man 
have  made  24  miles  up  stream  in  a  day  in  this  way,  and  made  a  survey  while  doing 
it.  The  line  should  be  light  and  very  strong.  To  haul  an  iS  or  19  foot  canoe  of  45 
or  4.S  inch  beam,  with  10  or  12  luiiulredweight  and  two  men,  the  line  sliouUl  not  be 
more  than  one-eighth  of  an  inch  in  thickness.  Of  course,  its  ([uality  should  be  I'lrsl- 
class.  There  are  lines  made  which  suit  this  purpose  admirably,  known  as  cod-lines. 
I  cannot  give  the  numbers  of  the  various  si/es,  but  simply  say  a  line  one-eighth  of 
an  inch  thick  is  sutificient  to  haul  a  boat  of  that  size  with  a  load  anywhere  that  a  boat 
can  betaken.  Of  course,  a  heavier  boat  recjuires  a  somewhat  heavier  line,  but  i  have 
seen  b(.)ats  40  to  45  feet  long  and  9  feet  beam,  loaded  with  8  or  10  tons,  drawing  two 
feet  of  water,  hauled  uj)  strong  currents  by  a  line  not  more  ih.ui  one-fourth  of  an  inch 
in  thickness      The  objection  to  a  heavier  line  is  that  its  weight  sags  it,  and  unless 


r 


134 


CANADA'S    C}RP:AT   (lOLD    FIELD. 


the  current  is  very  stror  .^  it  is  continually  sinking  into  tlie  water,  which  increases  its 
weight.  This  renders  it  lir.ble  to  catch  on  sticks,  tree  tops,  rocks  or  otiier  things 
which  are  generally  found  plentifully  strewn  along  the  river  banks.  The  men  on 
shore  will  scon  acquire  the  knack  of  flinging  the  line  over  any  obstacle  of  that  kind 
providing  it  is  not  too  heavy.  \  sharp  upward  jerk  will  hoist  it  feet  above  anything 
we  desire  to  avoid  if  given  at  the  right  time.  To  do  this  the  bow  of  the  canoe  should 
be  turned  across  current  just  before  the  line  is  thrown  up.  This  holds  the  canoe  out 
against  the  effect  of  the  pull  on  the  line,  often  a  high  tree  top  or  other  obstacle  can 
be  passed  easily  by  turning  the  boat  out  into  the  current ;  this  runs  her  up  and  out, 
so  that  if  the  obstacle  is  close  to  shore  it  is  passed  without  any  attention  from  the 
men  hauling. 

Care  should  be  taken  when  the  boat  is  running  up  in  an  eddy  below  a  point  with 
a  swift  cunent  rushing  past  it,  to  enter  the  boat  or  canoe  into  the  current  as  nearly  as 
possible  bow  on,  and  not  across  the  current  ;  by  entering  this  way  into  the  current 
gradually,  no  time  is  lost  and  no  risk  is  run.  I  have  known  several  boats  to  be 
swamped  by  running  them  up  the  eddy  as  far  as  possible  "•"'d  suddenly  turning  them 
into  the  swift  current  ;  the  result  being  the  water  boih  v  ir  the  side  of  the  boat 
and  fdled  her.  Had  the  men  given  way  on  the  haulin  li  :;  in  time  this  would  not 
have  happened,  or  had  the  line  parted  as  a  light  line  wouk.  have  done,  all  would  have 
been  well.  I  call  particular  attention  to  this  and  its  attendant  risks.  A  little  prac- 
tice will  soon  enable  one  to  do  this.  Take  plenty  of  line  for  that  purpose,  but  do  not 
take  it  too  heavy.  As  a  rule,  not  less  than  60  feet  of  line  should  be  out  even  under 
the  best  conditions,  and  in  rough  water,  or  along  a  bad  shore,  more  is  required.  Not 
iess  than  120  feet  should  be  ready  for  use  when  required,  so  fastened  that  whenever 
required  it  can  be  let  out  quickly  and  free  from  knots  and  twists.  There  are  several 
ways  of  doing  this.  One  is  to  have  the  line  wound  around  a  i'  '  or  bit  of  board  at 
the  front  e'.d,  which  the  hauling  man  can  pay  out  as  he  de^-'nii.  necessciry,  and  wind 
in  again  when  he  sees  fit.  Cotton  line  is  unsuitable.  The  water  has  a  bad  effect  on 
it.     It  soon  cuts  and  rots,  and  is  not  so  strong  as  good  jute  line. 


^^ 


Unalaska  from  '.Vest  End. 


From  Photo,  by  W.  Ogilvie. 


vhich  increases  its 
cs  or  other  things 
lies,      rhe  men  on 

taclc  of  that  i<ind 
et  above  anything 

the  canoe  should 
olds  the  canoe  out 
other  obstacle  can 
ns  her  up  and  out, 
attention  from  the 

below  a  point  with 

urrent  as  nearly  as 

into  the  curre.U 

everal  boats  to  be 

enly  turning  them 

le  side  of  the  boat 

ime  this  would  not 

one,  all  would  have 

sks.     A  little  prac- 

purpose,  but  do  not 

be  out  even  under 

re  is  required.    Not 

sued  that  whenever 

There  are  several 

or  bit  of  board  at 

lecessary,  and  wind 

has  a  bad  effect  on 


9mMmmi0mfmmmmr0^mtmH 


rom  Photo,  h  If.  Ogilrie. 


THE    YUKON    DISTRICT. 


•35 


From  Photo.  t>y  IV.  Oi;ih'ie. 

Dutch  Harbour,  Unalaska  Island. —  A.  ^^.  S.  IMicasaiU  at  Anchor  in  the  Day;  Str.  Humboldt 
at  Wharf  and  Str.  Excelsior  alongside. 


TEXTS. 

Of  course  each  one  has  his  own  idea  of  a  tent,  but  experience  has  taught  me 
that  the  simpler  the  tent  is  in  construction  the  better.  I  would  suggest  a  bell  tent 
not  less  than  lo  feet  in  diameter,  with  a  lo  ounce  duck  roof,  and  an  eight  ounce 
duck  wall.  The  wall  to  be  2^2  or  3  feet  in  height,  with  a  foot  or  more  of  sod  cloth. 
The  pitch  of  the  tent  should  be  pretty  sharp  to  throw  off  the  rain.  I  would  not 
have  it  less  than  9  or  10  feet  in  height.  Better  than  this,  a  square  tent,  called  the 
"Egyptian"  tent,  10  feet  on  each  side,  with  a  10  ounce  roof  and  8  ounce  wall,  as 
in  the  bell  tent.  Of  course  a  smaller  tent  may  be  ordered,  but  this  will  prove  a 
good  serviceable  ^jize,  and  will  not  be  too  heavy  to  pack  around,  and  will  accommo- 
date three  or  four  men  conveniently.  The  square,  or  Egyptian  tent,  will  accommo- 
date four  men  and  quite  an  amount  of  outfit.  One  man  cai^  hoist  one  of  these 
tents  readily  by  driving  in  four  stakes  in  the  form  of  a  square  at  the  proper  distance 
apart,  fastening  four  of  his  guy  lines  on  them,  inserting  his  pole  and  raising  the  tent. 
Afterwards  he  car  adjust  the  other  guy  lines  and  fasten  them  as  required.  A  pole 
can  always  be  got  ;  it  is  needless  to  carry  them.  I  would  advise  a  large  party  tak- 
ing several  of  these  tents  instead  of  one  large  one.  They  are  easier  to  carry  about 
and  the  party  can  separate,  break  itself  into  units,  so  to  speak,  for  prospecting 
purposes.  For  a  party  of  two  a  smaller  tent  v.'ill  do.  Tents  should  be  provided 
before  entry.  Material  for  their  construction  is  expensive,  and  the  supply  limited 
in  that  country.  The  cost  of  making  them  is  also  much  more  than  here.  If  pos- 
sible have  the  door  mad'j  mosquito-proof.  This  is  easdy  done  by  attaching  a  piece 
of  cotton  gauze  or  very  light  cotton  cloch  to  each  side  of  the  door,  which  can  be 
folded  together  and  tied  up  with  tape  fastened  to  the  walls  to  support  it.  This 
will  prove  a  great  comfort.     To  exclude  them  effectually  we  must  load  down  our 


.i|iJ.H.LJlW!jJllJll.lll..ll.'»lll»lllil' I 


136 


CANADA'S    (IREAT    C.OIJ)    I-IKLD. 


sod  clotl.  well,  or  thev  will  make  entry  that  way.     They  will  -^et  in  in  most  surpris- 

'"^  1;  •;::;du!:lon!  1  wouU,  say,  make  your  outfit  as  -P'^a,^  serviceable  ^pos^ 
sible  Do  not  meiUl'e  with  notions  designed  to  overcome  this,  that  or  the  (Uiier 
fiffi^nlt  as  thev  very  often  create  more  trouble  than  that  we  take  them  to  obvi- 
r  ^feta  lie  IK  a  s7would  specially  warn  against.  They  may  be  l'^^'^^,  ^pacous 
and  useful  ut  thev  are  easily  fractured  and  difficult  to  mend  while  a  wooden  boat 
an  b  menIS  at'lmost  anytime  and  place,  and  breaks  and  fractures  --y  b  n- 
fidentl V  looked  forward  to.  If  bass  wood  canoes  are  taken,  some  pieces  ot  tne  1  laiiK 
fnlrhou  "be  take  along  for  mending  with.  Some  rough  lengths,  which  would  no 
be  of  m  ch  serv^^^^^^  the  construction  of  a  boat  or  canoe,  can  easily  be  carried  in 
Se  boa  m      When  a  break   is  made  in   a  canoe,  if  the  parts  are  not  too  niuch 

white    ead  and  another  piece  put  over  it  on  the  inside,  as  before,  so  as  to  lap  ove 
u'e  cut  jt^nt  and  nailed  and  clinched,  will  make  the  boat  as  sound  as  new,  and  u 
is  only  the  work  of  an  hour  or  less. 


n  most  siirpns- 

.-iceable  as  pos- 
lat  or  the  otlier 
:e  them  to  obvi- 
liglu,  capacious 
;  a  wooden  boat 
res  may  be  con- 
cesof  the  plank- 
which  would  not 
ily  be  carried  in 
e  not  too  much 
jes,  pushed  bacl< 
ap  the  fracture, 
ched  tight  to  it. 
do  this  with,  the 
gdge  ;  a  piece  of 
ig  the  edge  with 
so  as  to  lap  over 
d  as  new,  and  it 


REGULATIONS 

(idVEKMNli    l'LACi:U    MIMNO    IN     IIIK    l'k(i\  ISli  >N  Al,    DISIKICP    OK    YUKON, 

NoRl'lI-WKSr    Ti;kRI  roRIKS. 

(^.lppro-e,l  hv  (h;/,i-  in  Coittuil  of  iSth  JatiiiiU-\\   iSi)S.) 


IN  IKUrUll'  \  I  IciN. 

••Kico  Mim.i"  sliall  menu  a  malo  or  I'Linalo  over  the  age  of  cis^htccn  but  not  uiiilor  tliat  age,  or 
joint  stock  company,  named  in,  and  laulully  possessed  of,  a  valid  existmi;  free  miner's  certilicate,  and 

no  other.  ,         i   „         i 

••  Leg:d  post  "  shall  mean  a  stake  standing;  not  less  than  four  feet  above  the  ijrounrt  and  Hatted  on 
two  >ides  for  at  least  one  foot  from  the  top.  Hoth  sides  so  llatted  sliall  measure  at  least  four  inches 
across  the  face.      It  shall  also  mean  any  stum|)  or  tree  cut  off  and  tlatted  or  faced  to  the  above  lieiglit 

and  size.  ,  .  ,       ,  ...  ,, 

"Close  season"  shall  mean  the  i)eriod  of  the  year  durmg  which  placer  mming  is  (,'enerally  sus- 
pended.      Phe  period  to  be  lixed  by  the  .Minini;  Recorder  in  whose  district  the  claim  is  situated. 

"  Mineral  "  shall  include  all  niinerals  whatsoever  other  than  coal. 

"  Joint  Stock  Company"  shall  mean  any  company  incorporated  for  mining  purposes  under  a  Cana- 
dian charter  or  licensed  by  the  (lovernment  of  Canada. 

'•  .Mining  Recorder"  shall  mean  the  official  appointed  by  the  (lold  Commissioner  to  record  applica- 
tions and  grant  entries  for  claims  in  the  Mining  Divisions  into  which  the  Commissioner  may  divide  the 
Yukon  District. 

I'REK    iMI.NKKS   AND    I'llEIK    I'RI VIl.KGES. 

1.  Every  person' over,  but  not  under  eighteen  years  of  age,  and  every  joint  stock  company,  sliall 
be  entitled  to  all  the  rights  and  privileges  of  a  free  miner,  under  these  regulations  and  under  the  regula- 
tions go\erning  quartz  mining  and  shall  be  considered  a  free  miner  upon  taking  out  a  free  miner's  cer- 
tilicate. A  free  miner's  certificate  issued  to  a  joint  stock  company  shall  be  issued  in  its  corporate  name. 
A  free  miner's  certificate  shall  not  be  transferable. 

2.  .\  free  miner's  certificate  may  be  granted  for  one  year  to  run  from  the  date  thereof  or  from  the 
e-xpiration  of  the  applicant's  then  existing  certificate,  upon  the  [layment  therefor  of  the  sum  of  Jjiio.oo, 
unless  the  certificate  is  to  be  issued  in  favour  of  a  joint  stock  company,  in  which  case  the  fee  shall  be 
fifty  dollars  for  a  company  having  a  nominal  capital  of  sf  100,000  or  less,  and  for  a  company  having  a 
nominal  capital  exceeding  f  100,000,  the  fee  shall  be  one  hundred  dollars.  Only  one  person  or  joint 
stock  company  shall  be  named  in  the  certificate. 

3.  A  free  miner's  certificate  shall  be  on  the  following  form  : 

DOMINION   OF  CANADA. 

FREE    MINER'S  CERTI KIC.VTE. 
(Non-transferable. ) 

Date ,  ^° 

Valid  for  one  year  only. 

This  is  to  certify  that of has  paid  me  this  day  the  sum 

of and  is  entitled  to  all  the  rights  and  privileges  of  a  free  miner,  under  any 

mining   regulations  of  the  Oovernment  of  Canada,  for  one  year  from  the day 

This  certiticate  shall  also  grant  to  the  holder  thereof  the  privilege  of  fishing  and  shooting,  subject  to 
the  provisions  of  any  Act  which  has  been  passed,  or  which  may  hereafter  be  passed  for  the  protection  of 
game  and  fish  ;  also  the  privilege  of  cutting  timber  for  actual  necessities,  for  building  houses,  boats,  and 
for  general  mining  operations  ;  such  timber,  however,  to  be  for  the  exclusive  use  of  the  miner  himself, 
but  such  permission  shall  not  extend  to  timber  which  may  have  been  heretofore  or  which  may  hereafter 
be  granted  to  other  persons  or  corporations. 

"  4.  Free  miner's  certificates  may  be  obtained  by  applicants  in  person  at  the  Department  of  the  In- 
terior, Ottawa,  or  from  the  agents  of  Dominion  Lands  at  Winnipeg,  Manitoba,  Calgary,  Kdmonton, 
Prince  Albert,  in  the  North-west  Territories  ;  Kamloops  and  New  Westminster,  in  the  Province  of 
British  Columbia ;  at  Dawson  City  in  the  Yukon  District  ;  also  from  agents  of  the  Government  at  \  an- 
couver  and  Victoria,  B.  C,  and  at  other  places  which  may  from  time  to  time  be  named  by  the  Minister 
of  the  Interior. 

5.      If  any  person  or  joint  stock  company  shall  apply  for  a  free  miner's  certificate  at  the  agent  s 
office  during  his  absence,  and  shall  leave  the  fee  required  by  these  regulations  with  the  officer  or  other 
person  in  charge  of  said  office,  he  or  it  shall  be  entitled  to  have  such  certificate  from  the  date  of  such 
application  ;  and  any  free  miner  shall  at  any  time  be  entitled  to  obtain  a  free  miner's  certificate   com 
niencing  to  run  from  the  expiration  of  his  then  existing  free  miner's  certificate,  provided  that  when  he 

137 


r 


138 


REGULATIONS. 


applies  for  such  ccrt.ficate  he  shall  produce  to  the  agen,   or  :n  case  of '"'^f  ««=""  '^'^'  '^^^  ^^''^^  '»'•' 
^i;!ccr  or  other  person  in  charge  of  tlje  ^^^^^^,;t.;^;^:^i::^Xo.n.r  thereof  may,  on  pay. 

an!,' uini-r^a^riahi^Sa^^-  shown\r>  respe^t^  thereof,  every  original  or  suhstUuted  free 
miner's  certitkate  shall  be  evidence  of'all  -"^"'j- ^^^-^J"  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^  ,„,  ..,ht  or  interest  in  or  to 

prised  therein,  or  in  or  to  any  waici     ij,.   .  fa      minor's  certificate  unexp  red.     And  on  the  expira- 

Lvery  person  in  his  or  "^r'^'^Z^lS  tltreof  SlTso  utely  S   aU  hi^s  rights  and  interest  i'n  or 
tion  of  a  free  miner's  certihcate  the  7  "-f  '^^^^^^^  and  ""V  mi-ierals  in  any  ground  coiuprised  there- 

K.any  placer  claim,  m.mng  lease,  bed-rock  """"^  e^=^nt   and  ^^^X  ■^^•^^^^^       flume.^vhich  maj!  be  held  or 
in,  and  in  or  to  any  .ind  every  ''^^^'f'J^""^^^^^^  „ch  owneV  shall,  on  or  before  the 

•z  i?;jt;rn";rrs.o.'j::o.  ^- »^^^^^^^^^        •«  '■"■  -»■  <•'"■ "  """-■•  -'  "■' 

,l,am  ihrniri.  conli.ui.nce  of  his  certiScMe,  bui  JM  lonfcr   hm  the  rlshl 

by  such   entry;   and  alter  sucn   tmry   ne  hiiau  ,  ),„  rcLin  of  such  entry;  such  comixusation. 

k::'t^:j::virsut!::s  L;:r;;,' i«crrL»^'^  a..;;,, ...  ./..ho.. . 

jury, 

NATURK    AND    SI/.E    OF   CLAIMS. 

,10,,^  .he  valle,  to  -h« J'^l' "^IlL'Si,  c  r".  S  oT  .h:*],.  and  .hall  no,  c«crf  2;o  foe.  in 

s:rizLTnf:n;^::^etL*;ifi"So5;i'-ts^^^^^^^ 

r:r  ;.3'"»n?n;  ti  ?h"  «™.S-,  of  «,f  u!,.  Cp' 0,1^  ,h.  di.un..  does  .0,  e.eeed  ,.ooo  tee,,,  shaU 
constitute  the  end  boundaries  of  the  claim. 

po„.  Srml,  fi.y  in ,he  ground  in  >h« '"""""'f  ^fnaiiS  tThc^  n.hceTv  II  p  ,m  "iS  .  '.n  fronl  ,he 
•hall  be  .ell  en,  on,^  tha,  one  P""  »«>: '' •,'^' ""P"  °  , j  „„\"„h  ™  .hah  be  written  on  the  side 
?.S  thllirf l^blenoTife  SS„t",Ltle '^Irni^lr  "ui^,  »;  i».h  i.  possible,  i„  ,en„b 
!Sj',h{ar;«he„'  sjahed.  ,„d^h.  «  <^^:f,;:Z'S:iS::^'c^^..  Tha.  is  ,0  sa, 
whent  cSrirSSrolefepaf^nd  nineaddi,^^^^^^ 


RE(;Ul,Ari()NS. 


'39 


lall  leave  with  the 

creof  may,  on  pa/" 
ijrson  by  whom  or 
ituted  Certilicalc"; 
jr  sulistiiuted  free 

r  interest  in  or  to 
1  any  ground  com- 
nlcss  he  or  it  and 
And  on  the  expira- 
;  and  interest  in  or 
id  C()niprist;<l  there- 
ch  may  be  held  or 
11,  on  or  before  the 
I'rovidc<l,  ne  er- 
ire  shall  not  cause  a 
o  shall  fail  to  keep 
■s,  pro  rati;,  accord- 
tock  c<inip.iny  need 
,  or  disposi;  of  any 

nger,  have  the  right 
he  Yukon  Distriet, 
'or  town  sites,  land 
Iwelling  house,  and 

niner  shall  give  adc- 
•hich  may  be  caused 
cupant  or  owner  of 
such  compiusation, 
s,  with  or  without  a 


irection  of  the  creek 
jck  or  gulch  shall  be 
r  the  lowest  general 
;e  feet  above  the  rim 
angles  to  the  general 
;d  I.ooo  feet  on  each 

shall  be  lines  traced 
practicable  the  direc- 

ot  exceed  250  feet  in 
claim  which  runs  in 
gher  than  the  rim  or 
feet  above  the  rim  or 
ir  its  length,  but  such 
)  feet  from  low  water 

main  direction  of  the 
so  line  at  right  angles 
:eed  1,000  feet),  shall 


,  marked  by  two  legal 
oetween  the  two  posts 
lit,  be  seen  from  the 
be  written  on  the  side 
if  possible,  its  length 

lada.  That  is  to  say, 
ining  each  other,  and 
3  of  250  feet  each  will 
;d  for  the  Crown  shall 

)e  immediate  cancelia- 
l  may  have  obtained, 
!  Mining  Recorder  of 


the  acceptance  of  anv  application  which  the  persi.ii  trespassing  may  at  any  time  make  for  a  claim.  In 
addition  to  such  penalty,  tlie  Mounted  I'dlice,  upon  a  secpiisition  from  thi  Mining  Recorder  to  that 
effect,  shall  take  I  he  necessary  steps  to  eject  the  tre-passer. 

iS.  In  defining  the  si.e  of  claims,  they  shall  be  measured  horizontally,  irrespective  of  iiieipialities 
on  the  surface  of  the  gr.iund. 

19.  If  any  fr'-e  miner  or  party  of  free  miners  discover  a  new  mine,  ami  such  discovery  shall  be  es- 
tablished to  the  satisfactiim  of  the  Mining  Recorder,  creek,  river,  or  hill,  claims  of  the  following  size 
shall  be  allowed,  namely  :  — 

To  one  discoverer,  one  claim,  500  feet  in  length. 

To  a  party  of  two  discoverers,  two  claims,  amounting  together  to  l.ooo  feet  in  length. 

To  each  member  of  a  party  beyond  two  in  number,  a  claim  of  the  ordinary  sizir  only. 

20.  \  new  stratum  of  auriferous  earth  or  gravel  situaleil  in  a  locality  where  the  claims  have  been 
abandoned  shall  for  this  jnirpose  be  deemed  a  new  mine,  although  the  same  locality  shall  have  been  pre- 
viously worked  at  a  different  level. 

21.  The  forms  of  application  for  a  grant  for  placer  mining,  and  tlie  grant  of  the  same,  shall  be 
those  contained  i'l  forms  "  H  "  and  "  I  "  in  the  schedule  hereto. 

22.  A  claim  shall  be  recorded  with  the  Mining  Recorder  in  whose  district  it  is  situated,  within  ten 
days  after  the  location  thereof,  if  it  is  located  within  ten  miles  of  the  Mining  Recorder's  oftice.  One 
extra  dav  shall  be  allowed  for  every  additional  ten  miles  or  fraction  thereof. 

23.  '  In  the  event  of  the  claim  being  more  than  one  hundred  miles  aom  a  Recorder's  office,  and 
situated  where  other  claims  are  being  located,  the  free  miners,  not  less  than  five  in  number,  are  author- 
ized to  meet  and  appoint  one  of  their  number  a  "  Free  Miners'  Recorder,"  who  shall  act  in  that  caiiacity 
until  a  Mining  Recorder  is  appointed  bv  the  Gold  Commission^.. 

24.  The  "  Free  Miners"  Recorder'"  shall,  at  the  earliest  possible  date  after  his  api)ointment,  notify 
the  nearest  (Jovernment  Mining  Recorder  thereof,  and  upon  the  arrival  of  the  Cioverninent  Mining  Re- 
corder, he  shall  deliver  to  him  liis  records  and  the  fees  received  for  recording  the  claims.  The  Coverii- 
ment  Mining  Recorder  shall  then  grant  to  each  free  miner  whose  name  appears  in  the  records,  an  entry 
for  his  claim  on  form  "  I "  of  these  regulations,  provided  an  apjilication  has  been  made  by  him  in  accord- 
ance with  form  "  II  "  thereof.  The  entry  to  date  from  the  time  the  "  Free  Miners'  Recorder  "  recorded 
the  application. 

25.  If  the  "  Free  Miners'  Reconler  "  fails  within  three  months  to  notify  the  nearest  Covernmeiit 
Mining  Recorder  of  his  appointment,  the  claims  which  he  may  have  reconled  will  be  cancelled. 

26.  During  the  absence  of  the  Mining  Recorder  from  his  office,  the  entry  for  a  claim  may  be 
granted  by  any  person  whom,  he  may  appoint  to  perform  his  duties  in  his  absence. 

27.  Fntry  shall  not  be  granted  for  a  claim  which  has  not  been  stake<i  by  the  applicant  in  person 
in  the  manner  specified  in  these  regulations.  An  affidavit  that  the  claim  was  staked  out  by  the  appli- 
cant shall  be  embodied  in  form  "  H  "  in  the  schedule  hereto. 

28.  An  entry  fee  of  fifteen  dollars  shall  be  charged  the  first  year,  and  an  annual  fee  of  fifteen 
dollars  for  each  of  the  following  years.  This  provision  shall  apply  to  claims  for  which  entries  have 
already  lieen  granted. 

29.  .\  statement  of  the  entries  granted  and  fees  collected  shall  •)e  endered  by  the  Mining 
Recorder  to  the  Gold  Commissioner  at  least  every  three  months,  which  ■  /  be  accompanied  by  the 
amount  collected. 

30.  A  royalty  of  ten  per  cent,  on  the  gold  mined  shall  be  levied  and  collected  on  the  grc>ss  output 
of  each  claim.  The  royalty  may  be  paid  at  banking  offices  to  be  established  under  the  auspices  of  the 
Government  of  Canada,  or  to  the  Gold  Commissioner,  or  to  any  Mining  Recorder  authorized  by  him. 
The  sum  of  $2,500.00  shall  be  deducted  from  the  gross  annual  output  of  a  claim  when  estimating  the 
amount  upon  which  royalty  is  to  be  calculated,  but  this  exemption  shall  not  be  allowed  unless  the 
royalty  is  pai<l  at  a  banking  office  or  to  the  Gold  Commissioner  or  Mining  Recorder.  When  the  royalty 
i:;  paid  monthly  or  at  loiiger  periods,  the  deduction  shall  be  made  ratable  on  the  basis  of  !|2, 500.00  per 
annum  for  the  claim.  If  not  paid  to  the  bank,  (iold  Commissioner  or  Mining  Recorder,  it  shall  be 
collected  bv  the  customs  officials  or  police  officers  when  the  miner  passes  the  ■  jsts  established  at  the 
boundary  of  a  district.  Such  royalty  to  form  part  of  the  consolidated  revc  le,  and  to  be  accounted 
for  bv  the  officers  who  collect  the  same  in  due  course.  The  time  and  manner  in  which  such  royalty 
shall'be  collected  shall  be  provided  for  by  regulations  to  be  made  by  the  Gold  Commissioner. 

31.  Default  in  payment  of  such  royalty,  if  continued  for  ten  days  after  notice  has  been  posted  on 
the  claim  in  respect  of  which  it  is  demanded,  or  in  the  vicinity  of  such  claim,  by  the  (iold  Commis- 
sioner or  his  agent,  shall  be  followed  by  cancellation  of  the  claiip.  Any  attenijit  to  defraud  the  Crown 
by  withholding  any  part  of  the  revenue  thus  provided  for,  by  making  false  statements  of  the  amount 
taken  out,  shall  be  punished  by  cancellation  of  the  claim  in  respeot  of  which  fraud  or  false  statements 
have  been  committed  or  made.  In  respect  to  the  facts  as  to  such  fraud  or  false  statements  or  non- 
payment of  royalty,  the  decision  of  the  Gold  Commissioner  shall  be  I  nal. 

32.  .Vfter  the  recording  of  a  claim  the  removal  of  any  post  by  the  holder  thereof,  or  by  any  person 
acting  in  his  behalf  for  the  purpose  of  changing  the  boundaries  of  his  claim,  shall  act  as  a  forfeiture 
of  the  claim. 

II.  The  entry  of  every  holder  of  a  grant  for  placer  mining  must  be  renewed  and  his  receipt 
relinquished  and  replaced  every  year,  the  entry  fee. being  paid  each  time. 

34.  The  holder  of  a  creek,  gitlch  or  river  claim  may,  within  sixty  days  after  staking  out  the 
claim,  obtain  an  entry  for  a  hill  claim  adjoining  it,  by  paying  to  the  Mining  Recorder  the  sum  of  (me 
hundred  dollars.     This  permission  shall  also  be  given  to  the   holder  of  a  creek,  gulch   or   river  claim 


'VI'VSPIiMMPM*!*'***^ 


140 


CANADA'S  r.REAT  COLD  FIKID. 


DIAGRAM   No.    I. 

9 

PLAN  OF  CREEK  OR  GULCH  CLAIM. 


SECTIONAL  PLAN  OF   A   CREEK  CLAIM. 


SECTIONAL  PLAN  OF  A  GULCH  CLAIM. 


THK  YUKON   DISTRICT. 


141 


DIAGRAM   No.   2. 

PLAN    SHEWING   SIDE    BOUNDARIES   LESS   THAN 
100   FEET   APART. 

hV    /ecr  


DIAGRAM    No.   3 

SECTIONAL    PLAN   OF    A    RIVER   CLAIM. 


DIAGRAM   No.  4. 

SHOWING   MOW   CLAIMS   ARE   TO   BE   STAKED. 
PLAN   OF   A   CREEK    OR   GULCH    CLAIM 


PLAN  OF  A  RIVER  CLAIM. 


ua 


REGULATIONS. 


nl.,ained  under  former  regulations.  pr.,vi.lc.l  that  -be  hill  claim   is  available  at  the  time  an  applica- 
liiin  is  made  therefor.  „,inlnu   rlaini   in  a  mininiT  district,  the 

JLJ:.  :is  3  rs„;,^™f  :i.s  sp^  5H=TS.'^n^5ii::;:i 

,U„„.  .oinirol  l.y  l...n  umler  il.c«  r.snl.i.on.  ...  '™'^'™'  "'''  '  "'-±  V"  w,.rk  ihei,  ckiii.  in 

s;;;;;;;,X;;.'.  ^:JicS:^^.:z^r^s'.:T^^-!^'i-""'  -"  "■-  -■- 

Recorder  and  a  fee  of  f.ve  dollars  paid  for  each  'f ';;'""°"-..  „„,.     ,  ,,;,  ..^  „„.ir  claims,  provi.led  such 
give  the  assiunee  a  certilkate  in  the  form  "  J  "  m  the  schedule  hereto.  exclusive  right  of  e.try 

al.d  shall   he. entitled, exclus,vdy^t.  aU     he  P   -^^  -;:^;;ii';^^X;  M&  Reco^der^may  ^ant 

o  .  nereo '  Ls  may  be  absolutely  necessary  for  the  workmt; 

.Jvf  u>  *  .m  s^em  reasonable.      He  may  also  grant   permits  to 

,,""/'*'t-  he  use  of  so  much   of  the  water  naturally  flowing 

"'  ''^r'A  claim  ,tall  be  .tei„rf  to  b.  .b.n.lon..!  »■!  o|,»  ,o  "»™,P»>»"  »;'  ""Ji^^  'ZZ"Z 
..he..??!,.  ..™«  .hall  l.«.e  ™..in..i  "■-"'S"''  °»  ino*.;';  .p£  Sr.'S.5CV„'.r,  .~csT.Ek~.^ 

therefor,  shall  apply. 


r'-valty  prescribed  by  these  regulati* 
tc    .he  holders  of  other  claims  such  u 
of  their  claims,    upon  such   terms  a 
miners  to  cut  timber  thereon  for  theii 
38.     Kvery  free  miner   shall   be 


Ifi 


FORM  H. -APPLICATION  FOR  GRANT  FOR  PLACER  MINING,  AND 
AFFIDAVIT  OF  APPLICANT. 

j^f  hereby 

applj  i^the  Yukon  mce;Mh;i;tB-iie^i;iiony,-f^;ag;;npa^  -ining  as  defined 

believe  that  there^U  therein  -Jepo^t  ^"(^old^^^  „^  ^^  („,  „„,)  ,„„,„dge  and  belief  the  first  to  observe 

such  indications,  or  :  —  ,       ,■ 

3      That  the  said  claim  was  previously  granted  to  (here  name 
„„worUe^by^thesaidgrant.^ic.^no^^^ 


the  last  grantee)  but  has  remained 


4- 

5' 
out  on 
Yukon 
cncro; 


;  tJ'S^irir  ^t-c^-m ;;;;;;  paVt^u^a;wi;i;Vhe:;;;^vi;io^^ 

icon  Distr  ct    tl  e  claim  for  which  I  (or  we)  make  this  application,  and  in  so  doing  I  (or  wt)  diU  not 
^ch  r 'aty'S^heVclaim  or  miningSocation  P-viously  laid  out  by  any  o^^^^^^  person ^^^ 

:  SSt^J^t^ilJu-ion  ll^^S-f^ith,  to  acquire  the  claini  forthe  soj  purpose  of 
cutcd  by  myself  (or  us)  or  by  myself  and  associates,  or  by  my  (or  o«0  "S^'gn^- 


that  the  description 

best  of  my  (or  our)  knowledge  and  ability,  its  position. 

7.     That  1  (or  we)       "     "" '^""*= "^ 

mining  to  be  prosecuted 


Sworn  before    me 

at 

this day 

of 18.... 


(Signature) 


*  72  hours  means  ttiree  consecutive  days  of  34  hours  each. 


/-r  « 


T*^ 


lime  nn  npplica- 

linint;  district,  tlie 
ay  also  hold  a  hill 
r  river  claim,  and 
k  their  claims  in 
I  with  the  Mining 

iiTis,  (iroviiled  such 
ho  sliall  thc'cupon 

sive  right  of  e.itry 
residence  thereon, 
lich,  however,  the 
Recorder  may  grant 
iry  for  the  working 
•  grant   permits  to 

r  naturally  flowing 
nion  of  the  Mining 
his  own  claim  free 

entry  by  any  person 
he  close  season,  by 
lurs,  unless  sickness 
r  unless  the  grantee 
obtaining  evidence 
:el  the  entry  given 

he  provisions  of  the 
1  by  His  Kxcellency 
i  may  be  substituted 


G,  AND 

hereby 

;r  mining  as  defined 

or  we)  have  reason  to 

f  the  first  to  observe 

:)  but  has  remained 

minion  Lands. 

mark 

ng  regulations  for  the 
ig  I  (or  we)  did  not 
rson. 

feet,  and 

forth  in  detail,  to  the 

jr  the  sole  purpose  of 
r  our)  assigns. 


RKCIULATIONS? 
FORM  I.-(;RANT  for  I'LACKR  mininc. 


143 


No., 


if  liflriii  (liilliiis  prescribed 

(A.   1!.) 

dated 


laiise 
...I'l". 


...IS.. 
iH  of 


.IS... 


fo 


I  lit-  iiiinmg 
I  iniiiini;  claim 


..(A.  1!.). 
laim 


..fur  till'  term  nf  one 

(Iiore  descrilio  in 

if  a  residence  tlicre- 


l)ili;irtnient  of  the  Inleridr, 

AgciKV..... 

In  cdiisidcratiuii  of  the  payniLiit  of  the 
regulatiiiiis  fur  the  YiiUim    District,  by....... 

accompanying  his  (or  their)  apiilicatiiin  N" 

ii, (here  insert  description  of  locality). 

Thf  Minister  of  Inlcrior  hereby  grants  In  the  s.iid 

year  from  llie  date  hereof,  the  exclusive  ri^;lit  of  entry  upon  tl 

(Mail  the  claim  granted)  for  the  miner-like  workim,-  thereof,  and  the  c.iiistniclinii 
on,  an.l  the  exclusive  right  to  all  the  i.roceeds  realued  therefrom,  upon  winch,  however,  the  royalty  pre- 
scribed by  the  regulations  shall  be  i)aid.  I      f.i  .  . 

The  Slid  (AH)  shall  be  entitled  to  the  use  of  so  much  of  the  water 

naturally  li(.win;;"tlVro;,V'ir<.'r  past  his  (or  their)  claim,  an.l  not  alrca.ly  lawfully  appropriated,  as  shall  be 
necessary  for  the  <lue  working  thereof,  and  to  drain  his  (nr  the.   )  claim,  free  of  charge. 

This  L.r.-int  does  no.  convey  to  the  said (A.  1!.) .........,a..y  right  of  ownership 

in  the  soil  covered  by  the  said  claim,  and  the  said  grant  shall  lapse  and  be  forfeited  unless  the  claim  .s 
cominuously  and  in  good  faith  worked  by  the  said (A.  1!.) or  his  (or  their) 

""*'"  T^lie^'richts   hereby  granted    are    those  lai.l    down    in    the   aforesaid    mining   regulati<ms,    and  no 
more,   ami  are  subject  to  all  the  provisions  of  the  said  regulations,   whether   the  same  are  expressed 

herein  or  not. 

^ ., '...••■ 

Mining;  K-  cor 


FORM  J.— CERTIFICATE  OF  THE  ASSIGNMENT  OF  A   PLACER  MIN 


CI..'.  i.V!. 


No. 


..(11, 


Department  of  the  Interior, 
.\(;ency. 

This  is  to  certify  that 

ment  in  due  form  dated 

of  the  grant  to (A.  I!.) ol 

description  of  claim) for  one  year  (rom  the 

This  certificate  entitles  the  said (I 


('.). 
IS... 


if.. 


and  ace 


has((..  ! 

mpanieil  liy  a  registrut 

of  the  right  to  mint 

l8 

C.) to  all  the  rights  and  privileges 

'     ■       ■  ■    the 


ve)  hied  an  assign- 
'.•e  ■•*'  two  dollars, 
(here  insert 


of  the  said  .(-V.  H.) '"  ri-spect  to  the  el.iim  assigned,  that  is  to  say,  to 

exclusive  ri'ght'o'f  entry" upon  the  said  claim  for  the  miner-like  working  thereof  and  the  construction  of  a 
residence  thereon,  and  the  exclusive  right  to  all  the  proceeds  realizctl  therefrom  (upon  which,  however 
the  royalty  prescribed  by  the  regulations  shall  be  paid)  for  the  remaining  portion  of  the  year  for  which 


.(A.  H.) that  is  to  say, 


by  the  reg 
the  said  claim  was  gr.inted  to  the  said. 

^   The  said ..(15.  C.)!!!!!!...... ...shall  be  entitled  to  the  us'.;  of  so  much  of  the  water  naturally 

flowing  through  orpast  "his  (or  their)  claim  and  not  already  lawfully  appropriated,  as  shall  be  necessary 
for  the  due  working  thereof  and  to  drain  his  claim,  free  of  charge.  .  ,       ,  .  • 

This  grant  does  not  convey  to  the  said ..(IS.  C.)  ..........  ....any  right  of  ownership 

in  the  soil  covered  by  the  said  claim,  and  the  said  grant  shall  lapse  ami  be  forfeited  unless  the  clan 
continuously  and  in  good  faith  worked  by  the  said (Ii.  C.)..... or  his 

t  '^'^|^^^°^'^J^^^^''■J^^.^  ,  granted  are  those  laid  down  in  the  ^■ukon  Placer  Mining  Regulations,  .and 
no  more,  and  are  subject  to  all  the  provisions  of  the  said  regulations,  whether  the  same  are  expressed 
herein  or  not. 

Mining  Recorder. 


claim  is 
(or 


REGULATIONS 

GOVERNING   THE   ISSUE   OF  LEASES   TO   DREDGE    FOR    MINERALS    IN  THE  BEDS 

OF  RIVERS  IN  THE  PROVISIONAL  DISTRICT  OF  YUKON, 

NORTH-WEST  TERRITORIES. 

(^Approved  of  by  Order  in  Council  No.  /2j,  of  the  iSth  January,  iSgS.) 


tained 


The  following  regulations  are  adopted  for  the  issue  of  leases  to  persons  or  companies  who  have  ob- 
lau.ed  a  free  miner's  certificate  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  the  regulations  governing  placer  min- 
ing  in  the  Provisional  District  of  Yukon,  to  dredge  for  minerals  other  than  coal  in  the  submerged  beds 
or  bars  of  rivers  in  the  Provisional  District  of  Yukon,  in  the  North-west  Territories  :  — 

I.  The  lessee  shall  be  given  the  exclusive  right  to  subaqueous  mining  and  dredging  for  all  minerals 
with  the  exception  of  coal  in  and  along  an  unbroken  extent  of  five  miles  of  a  river  following  Us  smuosi- 


M- 


-T 


>4» 


RKGULATK^NS. 


Uts  to  lie  mcnsurrd  rlnwn  the  middle  thereof,  and  to  be  described  by  the  lessee  in  Mich  manner  as  to  Ik; 
easily  l.iui'd  on  llit-  ^;r>.iiiid  ;  and  althoiit'l)  llio  Icssco  may  also  (il)tain  as  many  a-*  fivi-  oilier  Icascn,  oath  for 
an  unlirnkcn  uxli^iit  of  live  inili'S  nf  a  river,  so  measured  and  descrilied,  no  mure  than  six  such  leases  will  l>c 
is!^ueil  ill  favour  of  an  individual  or  coinpany,  ho  that  the  maximum  extent  of  river  in  and  aloii^  which 
any  individual  or  cnmpany  shall  be  ^ivcn  the  exclusive  ri^ht  above  mentioned,  shall  under  no  circum- 
stiiMces  exceeil  thirty  miles.  The  lease  shall  nrovide  for  the  survey  of  the  leasehold  under  iiislruetions 
from  the  Surveyor  <  lencral,  and  for  the  fding  of  the  returns  of  survey  in  the  Department  of  the  Interior 
within  line  year  from  the  date  of  the  lease. 

2.  The  lease  shall  lie  for  a  tii  m  of  twenty  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  all  rights  vested  in  or 
which  may  be  claimed  liy  the  lessee  under  his  lease,  are  to  cease  and  determine.  The  lease  may  lie 
lenewalile,  however,  from  time  to  time  thereafter  in  the  discretion  of  the  Minister  of  the  Interior. 

J.  The  lessee's  rit;ht  of  mining  and  dred^inj;  shall  lie  conlined  to  the  sulimerf;ed  beds  or  liars  in  the 
river  below  water  mark,  that  buiMidary  to  be  fixed  by  its  position  on  the  (irst  day  of  Au(;ust  in  the  year 
of  the  date  of  the  lease. 

4.  The  lease  shall  be  subject  to  the  rights  of  all  persons  who  have  received  or  who  may  receive 
entries  for    Icims  under  the  Placer  Mlninji  Re);ulations. 

5.  The  lessee  shall  have  at  least  one  dredfe  in  operation  upon  the  five  miles  of  river  leased  to  him, 
within  two  seasons  from  the  date  of  his  lease,  and  if,  durinjj  '■•  .;  season  when  operations  can  be  carried 
on,  he  fails  to  elViciently  work  the  same  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  Minister  of  the  Interior,  the  lease  shall 
become  null  and  yciid  unless  the  Minister  of  the  Interior  shall  otherwise  decide.  I'lovided  that  when 
any  company  or  inilividual  has  obtained  more  than  one  lease,  one  dredye  for  each  tifteen  mdes  or  portion 
thereof  shall  be  held  to  'le  compliance  with  this  rejjulation. 

(>.  The  lessee  shall  pay  a  rental  of  !|(loo.CX)  per  annum  for  each  mile  of  river  so  leased  to  him.  The 
lessee  shall  also  pay  to  the  Crown  a  royalty  of  ten  per  centum  on  the  output  in  excess  of  Ijiis.cxxj.oo. 
as  shown  by  sworn  returns  to  be  fUinished  monthly  by  the  lessee  to  the  (iold  Commissioner  during 
the  jieriod  that  dredgiu);  (iperations  are  being  carried  on  ;  such  royalty,  if  any,  to  be  paid  with  each 
return. 

7.  The  lessee  wh<i  is  the  holder  of  more  than  one  lease  shall  be  entitle<l  to  the  exemption  as  to  roy- 
alty provided  for  by  the  next  preceding;  regulation  to  the  extent  of  1*15,000.00  for  each  five  miles  of  river 
for  which  he  is  the  holder  of  i  lease  ;  but  the  lessee  under  one  lease  shall  not  be  entitled  to  the  exemp- 
tion as  t'l  royalty  piovided  by  the  next  two  preceding  regulations,  where  the  dredge  or  dredges  useil  by 
him  have  been  used  in  dredging  by  another  lessee,  or  in  any  case  in  respect  of  more  than  thirty  miles, 

8.  The  lessee  shall  be  iiermitted  to  cut  free  of  all  dues,  on  any  land  belonging  to  the  Crown,  such 
timber  as  may  be  necessary  liir  the  purposes  of  his  lease,  but  such  permission  shall  not  extend  to  timber 
which  mr.y  have  been  heretofore  or  may  hereafter  be  granted  to  other  jiersons  or  corporations. 

9.  The  lessee  shall  not  interfere  in  any  way  with  the  general  right  of  the  public  to  use  the  river  in 
which  he  may  be  permitted  to  dredge,  for  navigation  or  other  purposes  ;  the  free  navigation  of  the  river 
shall  not  be  impeded  by  the  deposit  of  tailings  in  such  manner  as  to  form  bars  or  banks  in  the  channel 
thereof,  and  the  current  or  stream  shaii  not  be  obstructed  in  any  material  degree  by  the  accumulation  of 
such  deposits. 

10.  The  lease  shall  provide  that  any  person  who  has  received  or  may  receive  entry  under  the  Placer 
Mining  Regulations  shall  be  entitled  to  run  tailings  into  the  river  at  any  point  thereon,  and  to  construct 
all  works  which  may  be  necessary  for  properly  operating  and  working  his  claim.  Provided  that  it  shall 
not  be  lawful  for  such  person  to  construct  a  wing-dam  within  one  thousand  feet  from  the  place  where  any 
dredge  is  being  operated,  nor  to  obstruct  or  interfere  in  any  way  with  the  operation  of  any  dr  age. 

11.  The  lease  shall  reserve  all  roads,  ways,  bridges,  drains  and  other  public  works,  and  all  improve- 
ments now  existing,  or  which  may  hereafter  be  made,  in,  upon  or  under  any  part  of  the  river,  and  the 
power  to  enter  and  construct  the  same,  and  shall  provide  that  the  lessee  shall  not  damage  or  obstruct' 
any  public  ways,  drains,  bridges,  works  and  improvements  now  or  hereafter  to  be  made  upon,  in,  over, 
through  or  under  the  river ;  and  that  he  will  substantially  bridge  or  cover  and  protect  all  the  cuts,  flumes, 
ditches  and  sluices,  and  all  pits  and  dangerous  places  at  all  points  where  they  may  be  crossed  by  a  pub- 
lic highway  or  frequented  path  or  trail,  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  Minister  of  the  Interior. 

12.  That  the  lessee,  his  executors,  administrators  or  .issigns  shall  not  nor  will  assign,  transferor 
sublet  the  demised  premises,  or  any  i)art  thereof,  without  tht;  consent  in  writing  of  the  Minister  first  had 
and  obtained. 


li  mannpr  r»«  to  lie 
liLT  liaMS,  ciu  li  fur 
siicli  li.isis  will  lie 
II  nnil  aloii^  ulilch 
miilfr  lit)  cirtum- 
iiiulcr  iiislriictiiiDi 
;iit  of  the   Interior 

rijjhls  voHteil  in  or 
Ttio  leaHc  may  Ins 

Interior. 
Iieils  or  linrs  in  the 
Ain»u»l  ill  the  yeur 

iir  who  may  receive 

er  leasL-il  to  him, 
ns  can  be  carried 

)r,  the  lease  shall 
l'rovi(ie<l  that  when 
.'cii  liiilcii  or  portion 

eased  to  him.     The 

:ess  of  I|II5,CXX).00, 

inimissioner  diirinn 

be  paid  with  each 

exemption  as  to  roy- 
h  live  miles  of  river 
titled  to  the  cxcmp- 
or  dredges  used  by 
than  thirty  miles. 
;  to  the  Crown,  such 
ot  extend  to  timber 
porations. 

ic  to  use  the  river  in 
wigation  of  the  river 
banks  in  the  channel 
'  the  accumulation  of 

itry  under  the  Placer 
:on,  and  to  construct 
rovided  that  it  shall 
the  place  where  any 
of  any  dr  >lge. 
rks,  and  all  improve- 
)f  the  river,  and  the 
t  damage  or  obstruct 
nade  upon,  in,  over, 
t  all  the  cuts,  flumes, 
be  crossed  by  a  pub- 
srior. 

ill  assign,  transfer  or 
;he  Minister  first  had 


Imperial  Bank  of 


Head  Office  -Toronto,  Ont. 


Capital,  $2,000,000       Reserve,  $1,200,000 


Klondike 


Yukon.... 


THE  IMPERIAL  BANK  OF 
CANADA  has  branches  in  MON- 
TREAL, WINNIPEG.  PRINCE 
,,  ALBERT.  EDMONTON,  CAL- 
GARY, REVELSTQKE  and  VAN- 
COUVER, at  all  of  which  outfitting 
points  financial  arrangements  can  be 
made  by  parties  about  to  visit  the 
GOLD   FIELDS. 


Money  Received  and  Deposit 
Receipts  issued,  NEGOTIABLE  AT 
ANY  OF  THE  HUDSON'S  BAY 
COMPANY'S  POSTS  in  British 
Columbia  and  the  North-west  Terri- 
tories of  Canada. 


D.  R.  WILKIB 

Oeaeval  Manacer 


■1 


5 


N 


u 


J 


ivlondike.. 
Gold  Fields 


1 

J 


HUDSON'S  BAY  COMPANY 


». 


INCORPORATED    A.    O.    1670 


Fully  Equipped  Stores 


FOR 


At  WINNIPEG  VICTORIA 

CALGARY  VANCOUVER 

EDMONTON  and  Other  Points 


L^ 


Full  information  will  be  Given  at  any  of  the  Offices  of  the  Company 
In  Canad-,.  or  at  the  LONDON  OFFICE,  I.LIME  STREET,  E.C. 


tt 


1 

INY 


tr. 


^v.y 


tors 


-^9 


L.^ 


f  the  Company 
TREET.E.C. 


